John was born Dec. 9, 1942, in Hattiesburg, Miss., son of the late John Calvin Kelbaugh ’35 and Marguerite Travis Kelbaugh. At Princeton he majored in economics and rowed crew. A member of Quadrangle Club, he roomed with Bill Miller and Rod McAlpin.
John spent three years as a naval officer aboard a destroyer off the coast of Vietnam. He then attended the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned an MBA. He went on to have a successful career in several states in the boating industry, ending up in Charleston as V.P. of financial operations for Sea Fox Boats. He was a serious cyclist, riding more than 100,000 miles in his lifetime; including the Assault on Mt. Mitchell, a 102-mile, all-day ascent.
John is survived by his wife of 47 years, Nancy; son David; two grandchildren; and siblings Doug Kelbaugh ’67 *72 and Molly Druck. All told there are some 13 Princeton grads by blood or marriage in the extended Kelbaugh family.