Jon H. Kneen, the ‘Jon’ of Al-jon Manufacturing, died in his home in Naples, Florida, on January 26, 2016, at the age of 89.
After returning from World War II, where he walked among the first Americans at Hiroshima, he returned to the family farm. His entrepreneurial spirit was already alive as he helped modernize the farm. He went on to co-found Al-jon, a manufacturer of recycling equipment, in Ottumwa and would grow that company to be an important contributor to the economic health of southeast Iowa and the manufacturing community. His accomplishments led him to serve as chair of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, director of the National Manufacturing Association, a member of the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank Advisory Council.
His heart for helping others started at a young age. That heart was rarely seen by people outside the family other than those he helped which was the beauty in his gifts. However, when people were hurt and struggling he was always there to support them. The more visual opportunities he had to serve came through his roles at IHCC, Iowa Wesleyan College and the University of Iowa.
“Good people are not born… they are built through hard work, commitment to others and a foundation built in family.”
—Jon Kneen 1926-2016
Published in the March 2016 Edition of American Recycler News