John Robert Klug, Jr.

John Robert Klug, Jr. was born on January 27, 1945, in Jefferson City, Missouri, to Constance Winsor Klug and John Robert Klug. He passed away July 5, 2026 in Denver, Colorado at the age of 81.

His father was serving overseas in World War II at the time of his birth and did not meet his son until John was nine months old. John and his four siblings grew up in Lebanon, Missouri on a farm with horses, cattle, sheep, chickens, and bees.

From an early age, he was curious and adventurous, searching for arrowheads, selling eggs and honey as a young entrepreneur, working with and earning awards judging livestock, communicating from his ham radio, and participating in 4-H and Boy Scouts.

John graduated from Lebanon High School in 1962 and Missouri School of Mines in 1966 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He earned a Fulbright Scholarship to the University of Madrid and obtained his MBA from Harvard Business School. He co-authored the “Benihana of Tokyo” case study, which is still used in the curriculum today.

During his time abroad, he traveled extensively throughout Europe. While in London, a chance meeting on a double-decker bus introduced him to Carol Wallbank, who would become his beloved wife. He also found the relatives in Germany whose location had been lost to Klugs in America, leading to a strong connection with German family that continues today. John formed a deep appreciation for global cultures, traveling extensively throughout his life visiting six continents and more than 80 countries, including summiting Mount Kilimanjaro with his son Noah.

John served as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army assigned to the Pentagon, working on the first generation of night vision technology for Vietnam. He took pride in personally delivering information to then Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. Upon completion of his MBA, he wrote cases for Harvard and a newsletter called Business Monthly to help small businesses manage their operations and profits. This publication became the fastest growing newsletter in the country. His transition from engineer to writer had begun. He later accepted a position to manage the Shakey’s Pizza chain based in Denver. He eventually founded Customer Communications Group (CCG), building a respected and successful publishing company and writing several books about business practices.

An accomplished inventor and pioneer in early internet technology, John built Best Buy’s first website along with other groundbreaking uses of the new technology. He held numerous patents for improvements in data communications. John’s engineering background led him to think deeply about how to solve problems that would make the world better. At his death he was still working on a new patent.

John married his first wife Carol Marie Wallbank, mother of their four children, in 1969. They made their home at “Foxholes Farm” in Evergreen, Colorado where family life was shaped by horse shows, soccer games, and outdoor adventures. Carol was a devoted mother who, together with John, cared for a multitude of animals at Foxholes: horses, donkeys, chickens, llamas and more. Annual trips to Club Maeva in Manzanillo, Mexico, became a treasured family tradition. In later years, John was a devoted caregiver to Carol during her long illness until her passing in 2003.

In 2006, he married Bernice Pasut, with whom he shared a deep and loving relationship. As a former nurse practitioner in oncology, Bernice was able to assist John with his medical needs throughout his illness with skill, devotion, and compassion. The family is eternally grateful for her love and care for John. Bernice and John split their time between homes in Denver and Puerto Aventuras, Mexico.

John was also deeply committed to Rotary International, serving actively in both the Denver Rotary Club and the Seaside Rotary Club in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. He served as president of the Rotary Foundation and was honored as Denver Rotary’s Rotarian of the Year. Having suffered from polio as a child, John was especially dedicated to Rotary’s global effort to eradicate polio. He championed initiatives to expand high-speed internet access in rural communities and played a key role in supporting medical and public health efforts in Mexico, including securing resources for hospitals and a Red Cross clinic, and helping establish school nutrition and water purification programs in a Mayan village.

John was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed skiing, bike riding, hiking, and horseback riding.

He was passionate about the environment and land conservation. As a result of his efforts, Elk Meadow in Evergreen and much of Bear Creek Canyon are now Open Space areas for all to enjoy. John’s long-term goal of a bike trail from Evergreen to Morrison along Bear Creek may someday come to fruition.

He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Bernice; his children Lucy (Mark) Dickhoff, Noah (Kristina) Klug, Simon (Vikki) Klug, and Scarlett (Patrick) Weis; Bernice’s children Marco (Chelsea) Sessa and John (Amanda) Sessa; and his many grandchildren: Reggie Dickhoff; Jack and Sam Klug; Raphael Weis; Juneau and Hana Klug; Isabella, Cannon, and Brody Sessa (Marco); and Samantha and Jackson Sessa (John). He is also survived by his siblings Harry (Joy) Klug, Theresa (Fred) Holtzclaw, Carolyn (John) Marshall, and Margaret (Darrel) Scheperle; Carol’s brothers Alan (Marjorie) and Graham; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Robert Klug and Constance Winsor Klug; his first wife, Carol Klug; and his granddaughter, Alexandra Dickhoff.

John’s legacy is one of intellectual rigor, curiosity, service, leadership, and a deep love for family and community. He was known for his generosity, mentorship, and unwavering belief in helping others succeed. As a cherished husband, dad, stepdad, granddad (“Cito”), brother, and friend, he will be deeply missed. He shepherded his immediate and extended family to the end with advice about family and honor.

John was deeply involved with researching and understanding his disease and possible treatments, with the same energy he applied to solving every problem he faced. At each step, he displayed dignity, grace, and strength of character.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 16, at 10:00 AM at Holy Ghost Catholic Church (1900 California Street, Denver, CO 80202), followed by a reception at the Knights of Columbus Hall #539, 1555 N. Grant St, Denver, CO 80203. Interment of ashes with Military Honors will be Friday, July 17, at 1:00 PM, Evergreen Memorial Park, 26624 N. Turkey Creek Rd, Evergreen, CO 80439.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Denver Rotary Foundation.