John Early Klopp

In John’s early years he and his family moved around the United States as his father’s business pursuits required, and they eventually settling in Erlanger, KY. He attended high school at Beechwood High in Ft. Mitchell, KY where John played center for the football team and has returned countless times to support the school and its athletics programs.

John began college at The University of Kentucky where he became a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He then transferred to Oklahoma State University after his sophomore year, where he received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Chemical Engineering. In 2017 John was inducted into OSU’s CEAT (College of Engineering – Architecture & Technology) Hall of Fame.

In his last permanent posting, John was Worldwide Vice President for Business Development for the Johnson & Johnson’s Diabetes Care Franchise, retiring from that position in 2009. During his sixteen year career with J&J, he established several partnerships with other companies, led the acquisition of two publicly traded companies, and led several successful patent legal actions. The acquisitions represented over 90% of the Diabetes Care Franchise sales in 2009.

One of his many accomplishments was an agreement for Lifescan that led to technology being developed for insulin pumps which allowed them to communicate with glucose monitoring devices, which is now a standard in this field.

Prior to Johnson & Johnson, he was in Licenses and Acquisitions for DuPont Medical Products. During his 28 year career with DuPont, he held positions of increasing responsibility in New Venture Development, turnarounds, partnerships, joint venture development, and M&A. After the formation of a joint venture with Applied BioTechnology (Inc.), he was elected to that Board.

John was passionate about developing and supporting others in their careers and was a mentor to numerous people. Every conversation with his mentees ended with a question: “How can I help you?” He was exceedingly generous with his time and his talents.

In 2010, he was appointed to the Research and Development Committee of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. John was appointed as a Director of SpeeDx Pty Ltd in 2010.

John was an honorary Kentucky Colonel and sponsored several honor flights for Kentucky veterans, flying the Greatest Generation of U.S. Military to Washington DC where he had arranged meet and greets between veterans and members of Congress.

John loved traveling the world, circumnavigating the globe numerous times for both business and pleasure. He especially appreciated the national park system in the US and was happiest cruising Zion National Park with the top of his Jaguar down, ball cap pulled low, leaving the sunset in the rear view mirror.

He was a connoisseur of fine zinfandels and champagne. Well known for his “Klopp burgers”, he loved exhibiting his barbecuing skills. He would regularly include others in holiday events. He always had room for a “stray”. John was a lover of horses and the sport of horse racing. He especially enjoyed seeing his beloved horses run and, in Australia, he and his partners developed a stable of promising thoroughbreds.

John was a loving partner and husband.

John is survived by his wife Alena Aleinik of San Jose, CA, his sister, Jane Klopp Giltner of Florence, Kentucky and his niece, Emily Jane GIltner of Highland Heights, KY.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in John’s name to The Kentucky Colonels, The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or Oklahoma State University.