Encyclopedia Dubuque
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KLAUER, William R.: Difference between revisions
Created page with "KLAUER, William R. "Bill" (Dubuque, IA, Apr. 27, 1942--Dubuque, IA, Oct. 17, 2026) The son of William J. and Caroline R. (Conlon) Klauer. William R. attended Nativity grade school, LORAS COLLEGE and {[WAHLERT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL]]Wahlert Catholic High School. He graduated from LORAS COLLEGE where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He served as President of KLAUER MANUFACTURING COMPANY immediately after college and never retired. As a young entrepreneur, Bi..." |
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KLAUER, William R. "Bill" (Dubuque, IA, Apr. 27, 1942--Dubuque, IA, Oct. 17, 2026) The son of William J. and Caroline R. (Conlon) Klauer | [[Image:wklauer.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]KLAUER, William R. "Bill" (Dubuque, IA, Apr. 27, 1942--Dubuque, IA, Oct. 17, 2026) The son of William J. and Caroline R. (Conlon) Klauer, William R. attended Nativity grade school, [[LORAS COLLEGE]] and {[WAHLERT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL]]. He graduated from [[LORAS COLLEGE]] where he earned his bachelor’s degree. | ||
William served as President of [[KLAUER MANUFACTURING COMPANY]] immediately after college and never retired. He rose to the presidency of the company in 1984 after succeeding his father as the fourth generation to hold the position. His two younger brothers Jim and Bob headed the sheet metal and [[SNOGO]] snowplow divisions of the company. Bill passed the position of president to his nephew, Michael Klauer, in 2018. | |||
As a young entrepreneur, | As a youngster, Bill showed early signs of his commitment to the community by routinely cleaned [[NATIVITY CHURCH]]. As a young entrepreneur, he operated a candy store in a former chicken coop in the family’s backyard using candy he had purchased downtown. It was remembered by the family that his profit margin dipped when his brothers helped themselves to the merchandise. During his college years, he worked at [[MODERN MUSIC]]at 6th and Main Street in Dubuque selling records and phonographs. The owners liked and trusted Bill enough to give him the keys to the shop when they left for winter vacations. | ||
Bill was dedicated to serving the Dubuque community and believed strongly in giving back. He demonstrated this commitment through his involvement in many ways including his service on the board of Clarke College Development Council, Nativity Church Parish, Rovers Club, and [[DUBUQUE SHOOTING SOCIETY]] 990. He was a founding board member of the [[COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER DUBUQUE]], a four-decade member of the [[BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER DUBUQUE]], and participated in the Julien Dubuque Yacht Club, [[DUBUQUE GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB]], and the BCI Group. He led the Klauer Family Charitable Foundation to make many donations including to the [[GRAND OPERA HOUSE]] renovation in the early 2000s. The family also sponsored an annual show at the Opera House. In recent years, Bill turned his financial focus toward the continued success of the [[DUBUQUE REGIONAL HUMANE SOCIETY]]. | |||
Bill | Despite his many commitments, Bill always met with childhood friends for dinner in a groups they called the "Bachelor Club International." | ||
In his leisure time, Bill enjoyed boating and traveling, especially the 40-year traditional family vacation to Dairymen’s in Boulder Junction, WI. He also enjoyed many cruises and trips to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with family and friends. | |||
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Source: | |||
Gleason, Thomas, "Klauer Led a Life of Giving," October 23, 2026, p. 1A | |||
[[Category: Business Leader]] | |||
[[Category: Humanitarian]] | |||
[[Category: Organization Leaders]] | |||
[[Category: Philanthropist]] | |||
Latest revision as of 19:22, 24 October 2026
KLAUER, William R. "Bill" (Dubuque, IA, Apr. 27, 1942--Dubuque, IA, Oct. 17, 2026) The son of William J. and Caroline R. (Conlon) Klauer, William R. attended Nativity grade school, LORAS COLLEGE and {[WAHLERT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL]]. He graduated from LORAS COLLEGE where he earned his bachelor’s degree.
William served as President of KLAUER MANUFACTURING COMPANY immediately after college and never retired. He rose to the presidency of the company in 1984 after succeeding his father as the fourth generation to hold the position. His two younger brothers Jim and Bob headed the sheet metal and SNOGO snowplow divisions of the company. Bill passed the position of president to his nephew, Michael Klauer, in 2018.
As a youngster, Bill showed early signs of his commitment to the community by routinely cleaned NATIVITY CHURCH. As a young entrepreneur, he operated a candy store in a former chicken coop in the family’s backyard using candy he had purchased downtown. It was remembered by the family that his profit margin dipped when his brothers helped themselves to the merchandise. During his college years, he worked at MODERN MUSICat 6th and Main Street in Dubuque selling records and phonographs. The owners liked and trusted Bill enough to give him the keys to the shop when they left for winter vacations.
Bill was dedicated to serving the Dubuque community and believed strongly in giving back. He demonstrated this commitment through his involvement in many ways including his service on the board of Clarke College Development Council, Nativity Church Parish, Rovers Club, and DUBUQUE SHOOTING SOCIETY 990. He was a founding board member of the COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER DUBUQUE, a four-decade member of the BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER DUBUQUE, and participated in the Julien Dubuque Yacht Club, DUBUQUE GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB, and the BCI Group. He led the Klauer Family Charitable Foundation to make many donations including to the GRAND OPERA HOUSE renovation in the early 2000s. The family also sponsored an annual show at the Opera House. In recent years, Bill turned his financial focus toward the continued success of the DUBUQUE REGIONAL HUMANE SOCIETY.
Despite his many commitments, Bill always met with childhood friends for dinner in a groups they called the "Bachelor Club International."
In his leisure time, Bill enjoyed boating and traveling, especially the 40-year traditional family vacation to Dairymen’s in Boulder Junction, WI. He also enjoyed many cruises and trips to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with family and friends.
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Source:
Gleason, Thomas, "Klauer Led a Life of Giving," October 23, 2026, p. 1A