John Klaus

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September 7, 2021

I'm sorry to hear abou the passing of John. I knew him when I worked at the court library while I was attending Rosary College for my library degree. He was always kind and thoughtful.

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added 1 photo(s) to the memorial :

May 7, 2021

added 1 photo(s) to the memorial :

May 7, 2021

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May 2, 2021 · via mobile

John had the BEST group of friends.

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Matt Galloway and Karen Swinehart reacted on this.

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May 2, 2021 · via mobile

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May 2, 2021 · via mobile

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May 2, 2021 · via mobile

First Annual John Klaus Memorial Run - Notre Dame

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April 22, 2021

I had the pleasure of working with John at the Court for many years; we started about the same time many years ago and he quickly became a friend as well as my go-to resource for obscure questions. His love of bad legal puns made him a staunch supporter... more

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April 21, 2021

Happy Birthday Uncle John <3 We miss you.

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Matt Galloway reacted on this.

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April 20, 2021

John was a delightful, witty person and a truly supportive work colleague. We would often exchange thoughts (or rants) about databases we worked with or ponder library week themes - always with a dash of humor. He will be so missed.

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April 8, 2021 · via iPhone

John knew my goal to walk the the 2013 Chicago marathon was 6 hours. I finished four seconds over. He dryly said I didn’t make it. Thank you John for no excuses.

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Karen Swinehart reacted on this.

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April 8, 2021 · via iPhone

Dear John,

We met in 2006 in Thailand. You were traveling with Dale and Karen and we did a two day hike through the jungle of Chiang Mai. We slept in a wooden shack with a group of 10-12 people and in the morning, you stuck your head out the door and... more

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Karen Swinehart and Matt Galloway reacted on this.

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April 7, 2021

I met John during the Summer of 2017 during Chicago Marathon training. His intelligence, quick wit, and affability made him a great pacer—running with John made the miles go by fast! After learning John lived near me, we started running together... more

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added 4 photo(s) to the memorial :

April 7, 2021

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April 6, 2021 · via mobile

I met John through a mutual friend over 10 years ago. When he moved into the building he became a familiar face in the early morning when I walked the pup, always up for a quick chat/check-in. Over the years we would run errands together or have the... more

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April 6, 2021

I love John Klaus. I use present tense because I still love John. I met John through Joints in Motion when he began his running life. John and I went on to become long-time running partners...until he got too fast for me 😏 John and I spent SO many... more

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Matt Galloway reacted on this.

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April 6, 2021

John - what a kind, thoughtful, compassionate, funny, and unique soul. I am so grateful and lucky to have met him - and to have been a part of the Boston 2010 training group we formed with him. I will never forget taking the "Water taxi" from... more

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April 6, 2021 · via iPhone

I’m so grateful to also have been a part of the group who met training for the Boston marathon in 2010 including John. As others have said, John brought so much humor and energy to our group runs. My heart breaks for his family, it was so clear how... more

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April 6, 2021

John was an incredibly devoted runner and Joints in Motion/Arthritis Foundation supporter. He ran with our team for many years and carried his love of running and his running friendships far beyond his days with JIM. We are thinking of all of you who... more

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April 6, 2021

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April 6, 2021 · via iPhone

For the past week, I’ve been mentally reviewing an endless reel of memories that feature John and our crazy adventures. It’s impossible to sum up 20 years of friendship with a guy like him, so I’ll share a few of my favorites.

We first met in a... moreFor the past week, I’ve been mentally reviewing an endless reel of memories that feature John and our crazy adventures. It’s impossible to sum up 20 years of friendship with a guy like him, so I’ll share a few of my favorites.

We first met in a 16” softball league in Grant Park in Spring 2001, which led to us bonding over baseball (several opening day games in freezing temps, countless Sox vs. Indians games, road trips to other ballparks where he’d happily watch even the Cubs play), attending the most outlandish cultural events we could nose out (such as a low rider car show and art opening hosted by Cheech Marin in Pilsen), and riding our bikes through obscure and remote corners of the city (always taking the long illogical route just to see what we could discover).

In 2005, John took a long trip to Ecuador with us, during which we hiked volcanoes, slept in a hut in the jungle, visited a Quechua shaman in the Amazon basin, floated down rivers, battled whitewater, ate roasted guinea pig, and generally laughed our heads off. We arrived in Quito in the midst of an uprising, and a coup took place while we were there, thus whetting our collective appetite for seemingly dangerous travel.
2006 took us to Thailand during a threat of a coup there (which didn’t happen). We attended Muai Thai boxing matches, wandered the night markets, snorkeled the Andaman sea, hiked the rice paddies and slept in the jungle of Chiang Mai, attended cooking school, and rode elephants on a trail after waking up to the noise of wild boars wandering through the tribal village where we’d spent a night on straw mats shivering against the cold.
Later joint vacations had us traveling overland throughout Guatemala (where we paid an armed guide to protect us as we climbed an active volcano and, no lie, toasted marshmallows over glowing embers spit from the looming cone), and Panama (which featured a sweltering day transiting the Panama Canal, which John declared was a “d-u-m-p, dump,” and a memorable mishap with a capsized kayak in a bay on the Pacific coast while howler monkeys mocked us), and yet another trip full of John-worthy shenanigans in Mexico City.

John moved into Gotham Lofts in 2010, so I was extra blessed to call my dear friend my neighbor for several years. The day-to-day necessary activities of life were much more fun with an accomplice. I miss our walks to everywhere for the littlest of reasons, him being willing to feed the pets or provide a ride to the ER, and helping him with home improvement projects. I’ll feel the void from no longer receiving his faithful texts to wish safe travels, opine on news events, or just check in.

John made the world a happier place, and life without him seems impossible, but I am grateful for all the time we had. I hope he has found the banana split bar in Heaven, and that it has decent Wi-Fi. less

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Robert Shannon and Matt Galloway reacted on this.

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April 6, 2021

I was so saddened to receive this news. I was so fortunate to rely on John as were so many others to get me through the long miles on the Lakefront path. John would meet me wherever and whenever to run as far and fast as I wanted. Always willing to... more

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Matt Galloway reacted on this.

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April 5, 2021

Two more pictures from our friendship - the group pic with many of our Boston Bound '10 training buddies after a brunch at Nookies in Edgewater (no doubt after a run) in November '13 and the other, a lakefront trail run we did together when I visited... more

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April 5, 2021

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April 5, 2021

Tom and I knew John through our Gotham Lofts community and close friends. We are heart broken to learn of his passing. We last saw John in San Francisco shortly after we moved here and shared dinner together. May we all share stories in his memory. Our... more

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Robert Shannon reacted on this.

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April 5, 2021 · via iPhone

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April 5, 2021 · via iPhone

I was apart of John’s Boston Bound 2010 running group. It was an amazing year and I made some long time friends which included John of course. He has been such a kind, generous, supportive, and loyal friend throughout the years - I feel so fortunate to... more

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April 5, 2021

This is crushing.

John was a true, trusted friend of mine. I am part of the group of running friends who first met John training for Boston 10. Over the years, John and I ran in sleet and snow, heat and humidity, rain storms, and on occasion, some... moreThis is crushing.

John was a true, trusted friend of mine. I am part of the group of running friends who first met John training for Boston 10. Over the years, John and I ran in sleet and snow, heat and humidity, rain storms, and on occasion, some beautiful days. Through those runs, I know of his deep commitment to his parents, his pride in his nieces and nephews, and his devotion to his family.

I loved John’s humor, whether talking about his deep belief that hotdogs were his downfall in Boston, our shared frustration that a TJ’s pizza serving is only ⅓ a pizza, or lementating (sometimes celebrating!) Chicago sports, John made me laugh. For years John has been my partner at a local 5K every June on a Thursday evening. We run every year because it is one of the only races in the area that allows us to place in our age group. We joke about our running and our frail egos.

Over the years, John and I still talk about some running exploits--an ill-fated half marathon where it was so cold we remained in my car until the national anthem played--WHY run? An accidental run in a lightning storm where we had to call for a ride, HOW did we not know that was coming? There was one hot and humid July night where I was running a women’s 10K. John led my mom, my brother, and my son, still in a stroller, throughout the course, making sure my family found me multiple times; everyone was panting and sweating. As my brother stated, “That’s a real friend.” He was.

But, more than a running friend, John became a close friend. A cheerleader for all Chicago sports, especially those White Sox, baseball and football season will not be the same. John was my Hawkeye partner, and we were lucky enough to start the bi-yearly tradition of watching the Hawks play at NU. For many years it was just the two of us, but in 19, he invited Casey in too, and we were hopeful for a 2021 season. John, when I’m there, I’m going to have a Diet Pepsi for you.

While I mourn the loss of a loyal, true, and trusted friend, I want to send you, his family, my deepest sympathy and my thanks. John was a gift.

John, may all of your runs feel good, all the tennis courts be free, all the tasty food keep you lean, and all your travel be seamless.

You are missed. less

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Matt Galloway reacted on this.

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April 5, 2021 · via iPhone

One of the positives that came from the past 12 months was that it demonstrated the strength of our respective communities. John and a few others here at Gotham Lofts banded together for grocery runs, takeout dinners, and just some basic human... more

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Karen Swinehart reacted on this.

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April 5, 2021

Dear Cousin Johnny, I don't want to get too sappy because you would have hated it - but truly when I think of my earliest memories - you were there! I smile because they were all such fun times - from riding in the MG (was I supposed to be in there?)... moreDear Cousin Johnny, I don't want to get too sappy because you would have hated it - but truly when I think of my earliest memories - you were there! I smile because they were all such fun times - from riding in the MG (was I supposed to be in there?) to the big station wagon you guys called the boat - to playing red light green light and you seemingly never getting tired of me and your younger siblings and cousins. Growing up I always loved dancing to Madonna and Jack and Diane with you at family weddings. Later when we were adulting and you started running marathons - we loved cheering you on from our perch near Taylor St. You always had time for all of us lucky enough to be in this enormous sprawling family, making time to stop by, send emails - just checking in and letting us know in your way that you loved us. You brought us all together - you have most definitely been our glue in bringing us together for family gatherings, especially our family Sox outings. As a faraway member of the family I cannot adequately express how much this has meant to me over the years - and I know I'm not alone in feeling enormous gratitude to you for these acts of kindness and love. The last time we were together in person was at the Sox outing you organized at Liz and Ryan's. We had knee-slapping Klaus fun and sang Happy Birthday to Jack. The game was on but I don't much remember watching, instead enjoying being with family and laughing alot - thanks to YOU. When COVID came you carried on with your convening powers - so thoughtfully reaching out to set up a Zoom for my mom's birthday in June 2020 and then we did another one for Jack in July - that's the last time we spoke. But we had plans - you were going to come to the farm in Virginia and I was already envisioning the Klaus gathering we would have to cheer you on for the Montreal marathon. I will miss getting random emails from you - like when you hear something about Ghana or Togo on the radio and you check in to say hi. The last time you wrote was March 6th and you let me know that even though COVID was screwing things up - that you guys were all fine and your mom and dad had been vaccinated. Always thinking of others - always checking in - always there to step in and organize us - that was your way and we love you for that. Sorry for the sap cousin Johnny but you deserve it and I hope you can enjoy it from your current view. I know you will always be with us, rest in peace dear cousin. less

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Karen Swinehart and Matt Galloway reacted on this.

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April 4, 2021

The Chicago running community lost a good one.

I met John during our Boston Marathon ‘10 training and spent many, many hours and miles together with him through a (predictably) terrible Chicago winter as we worked hard to get fit and fast to toe the... moreThe Chicago running community lost a good one.

I met John during our Boston Marathon ‘10 training and spent many, many hours and miles together with him through a (predictably) terrible Chicago winter as we worked hard to get fit and fast to toe the line on Patriots Day in Beantown.

Over the years, training with John led to more laughs than we could ever count, as well as an incredible penchant for running in terrible weather seemingly all the time (snow, sideways freezing rain, ice, thunderstorms, suffocating humidity, the threat of larger-than-life Lake Michigan waves overtaking the lakefront path while you’re running down it, you name it).

One of our funniest running memories came on the day that Chicago shut down -- “snowmaggedon,” the 2011 Groundhog Day blizzard -- when we somehow managed to get out and run on S. Michigan and the lakefront trail together without getting blown away, completely amused that the Congress Hotel’s windows were shattered and strewn all over the sidewalk by the unbelievable wind. How we managed to endure that is beyond comprehension now, but it made for some good laughs together, as was often the case with John.

All these years later, following the Boston ‘10 training, John remained a dear friend, the first person to text or email after a race congratulating you on a job well done or commiserating when things didn’t go as planned. Like others have remarked, John was selfless in his life, including in his running, evidenced by him serving as a pace group leader for several years for Chicago Endurance Sports, no doubt helping assuage so many newcomers’ (and veterans’!) fears about this weird running habit we all like while also serving as a never-ending fountain of knowledge, something else he was quite good at. He also fundraised for the Arthritis Foundation early in his marathoning career, making his mileage signify something greater, before he began his quest to earn the Six Stars of the World Marathon Majors, ultimately earning four of the six.

It was a joy to see John here in California when he came to visit over Presidents’ Day in 2017 and to run together with him for the first time in nearly four years, and he was especially excited to see Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara during our run together in (what else?) terrible weather. When my family and I visited Chicago in 2019, running with John on the lakefront path, starting in the south loop like we used to do when we worked within blocks of each other, was a trip highlight for me, even if it was in (of course, what else?) more terrible, windy, cold, and rainy random mid-summer weather. The weather never mattered because the company was always excellent.

I will so greatly miss John and his ceaseless generosity, kind spirit, infectious laugh, hilarious political hot-takes, enduring friendship, and his amazing soul. Lots of love, John. You made the world a better, brighter place. less

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Matt Galloway reacted on this.

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April 4, 2021

It is most appropriate for John that this site is called "Gathering Us," for John, in our family, was the "Gatherer." For so many years our events and wonderful memories of being together as a family were led by John. He was a... more

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Matt Galloway reacted on this.

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April 3, 2021 · via iPhone

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April 3, 2021

Matt Galloway reacted on this.

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April 2, 2021

Matt Galloway reacted on this.

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April 2, 2021

Cousin John you loved tennis, biking, pizza, baseball, talking about Chicago, and all of the wonderful things about this city. Thank you for your love and kindness. Lord, thank you for JBKIII. Teach us to continue to reach out and try new.

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Matt Galloway reacted on this.

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April 2, 2021

On July 23, 2009, John was a witness to one of Baseball's rarest events. There have only been 23 major league baseball perfect games, out of over 200,000 played. On that glorious sunny day at Guaranteed Rate/US Cellular/New Comiskey/Sox Park, Mark... more

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Kate Klaus reacted on this.

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April 1, 2021

Dear Members of the Klaus Family, I met John in October 1989 when I started working as the cataloger for the Library of the U.S. Courts. We continued as coworkers, colleagues, and friends for the next thirty years until I retired. We shared so much:... more

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Kate Klaus reacted on this.

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April 1, 2021 · via iPhone

Matt Galloway reacted on this.

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April 1, 2021 · via iPhone

John became friends with my husband Jim 20 or so years ago through tennis at Midtown. As soon as I met him, I stole him away. We have spent so many hours, days, months together over the years, on the running path, traveling, hanging out. He was social... more

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Karen Swinehart and Matt Galloway reacted on this.

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April 1, 2021

I will always remember John, or as we called him Klaus, by his laugh. It was generous just like him. I met John at Lake Forest College when we were so young. I'm so glad we reconnected later in life. Sending heartfelt sympathies to his family and... more

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Matt Galloway reacted on this.

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April 1, 2021

I had the privilege of working with John over the past twelve years on numerous court conferences and projects. He was quick-witted and authentic, but most of all intelligent and committed to serving the judiciary. John was my go-to for 7th Circuit... more

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Kathryn Feldkamp reacted on this.

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April 1, 2021

John was my go-to for all difficult research questions. He was so good at his job--and so good natured, funny, and kind-hearted. He will be sorely missed. May his memory be a blessing.

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Kathryn Feldkamp and Karen Swinehart reacted on this.

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April 1, 2021

So very sorry we have to say goodbye to John way too soon. He was a wonderful man with a beautiful family. I had the pleasure to work with him at the court, enjoying the book club he hosted for many years. Everyone who knew him has happy memories of... more