It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our friend and colleague, John Kruman.
For more than 13 years, John was an important part of the Clear-Com story. He brought tremendous technical expertise, a commitment to our customers and a passion for communication that was evident in everything he did.
John joined Clear-Com in 2013 as a Regional Sales Manager and Systems Engineer and later served as Business Development Manager. His career before Clear-Com included engineering and systems design roles across broadcast and live production, as well as nearly five years of service in the U.S. Army as a Broadcast Engineer with Combat Camera.
That breadth of experience made John an exceptional technical resource. But it was his personality and his genuine care for others that made him such a beloved colleague.
“John was one of the nicest people you will ever have the pleasure of knowing; John always saw the best in everyone he met,” said Preston New, Director of Sales, Military, Aerospace & Government. “John was a true Clear-Com blue warrior; he would contact me at all hours of the day or night with thoughts and questions concerning how we could reach more clients. He will truly be missed!”
That passion for Clear-Com was unmistakable. John cared deeply about our customers, our technology, and the people who make this company what it is. He was constantly thinking about how we could do more and serve our industry better.
But John's relationships with his colleagues went far beyond the workplace. Nicole Melton, Sales Support Manager, remembers meeting John when she first joined Clear-Com 11 years ago.
“I met John when I first started at Clear-Com 11 yrs ago and he had such a presence and he wore his heart on his sleeve,” Nicole recalled. “Our friendship was solidified in Orlando at InfoComm during an adventurous night in Disney Springs. We didn’t talk often but when we did, it was like no time had passed. I will miss our chats and check ins.”
That ability to make people feel connected was one of John's gifts. For Vic Lombardi, Regional Sales Manager, some of the most memorable moments with John centered around one of his greatest passions: music.
“John and I could always pick up right where we left off, usually talking about the music we grew up on,” Vic said. “We'd reminisce about the speed metal scene of the '80s and '90s, debating our favorite albums from Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Testament, Anthrax, and countless others.”
John was always looking for something new to listen to and something new to share. “John was always the guy who knew about a new band, an underrated album, or a deep cut I'd somehow missed. He never stopped searching for great music and he always had a recommendation,” Vic said. “Every time I hear one of those classic metal albums, I'll think of him and smile.”
John's passions extended well beyond music. He and James Schaller, Regional Sales Manager, shared a love of guitars and gear, but their conversations eventually revealed something even more meaningful about John: his compassion for others.
“John Kruman....what a great-hearted man! John and I shared music in common, as we both played guitar and often 'geeked out' talking about guitars, amplifiers and other gear,” James said. “Our conversations were wide and varied, and after John learned my background as a clinical musician, he opened up to me about his compassionate care for the veterans in his community.”
Clear-Com President Bob Boster noted that “It has to be said that John was beloved inside of Clear-Com and outside in the wider industry, and when you think about 'why' it's because he lived with such a strong passion for everything he cared about, and did so in a way that everyone frankly envied. I feel personally honored to have counted John as both a friend and collaborator in the project of Clear-Com, where he will be remembered as one of the ones who helped to build the legend.”
James Withey, Senior Systems Consultant added on by saying “if I was to sum him up in a couple of words I would say ‘Gentle Giant’. He was a great guy. Very kind and passionate about his job and customers. I know he will be missed by many in our company.”
I think “Gentle Giant” is an especially fitting way to remember John. He had an impressive technical background and a tremendous presence, but there was a gentleness to him that people felt. He was passionate without being overbearing, knowledgeable without making others feel small, and deeply committed to the people and work around him.
John understood something fundamental about our industry: technology is ultimately about people. We build communication systems so people can work together, tell stories, create experiences, respond in critical moments, and connect with one another.
John lived that idea every day. He spent his career helping people communicate, and he leaves behind a legacy of having communicated something just as important through the way he lived: kindness matters, showing up matters, and the people around us matter.
Director of Sales, Americas Kris Koch reflected that "John's enthusiasm for taking care of his customers and Partners led to incredibly strong relationships. His passion for doing the right thing for the customer led to lifelong customers that became lifelong friends. John's knowledge of workflows and ability to make friends set him apart. John was a friend first, a colleague second, and the gap left by his loss will be incredibly difficult to fill."
His passing is a tremendous loss for Clear-Com. We will miss his expertise, his enthusiasm, his stories, his music recommendations, his questions, his late-night ideas, and, most of all, his friendship. On behalf of everyone at Clear-Com, I extend my deepest condolences to John's family, friends, fellow veterans, colleagues, and all those who had the privilege of knowing him.
John was a true member of the Clear-Com team. We are grateful for the years we had with him, for everything he contributed, and for the many memories he leaves behind.
John, you will be profoundly missed.