Ron Kelley

Bass Guitar/Vocals 1973

Ron joined Podipto in the summer of 1973 and left before year's end, but not without leaving his mark on the band's second LP, "Homemade."

Ron was born in Richmond, Indiana, and moved to the Twin Cities area as a young boy and attended school in St. Paul until the 11th grade when his family moved to Edina. He graduated from Edina-Morningside High School in 1966, and Bemidji State University in 1970 with a BS degree in Biology.

Aside from Podipto, Ron played in numerous country and rock bands in Bemidji and the Twin Cities through college and for many years after. Ron worked in the logging industry, owning his own business for 20 years. 

Ron loved doing things with his boys which included hunting, fishing, and coaching youth hockey. His granddaughters loved to swim, boat, and watch The Three Stooges with their grandpa. He was an avid Twins and college hockey fan.

Ron died in Bemidji, Minn., on Dec. 29, 2005.