John Andrew Meslow was born December 18, 1938, in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. He passed away peacefully on April 28, 2024, in St. Paul, Minnesota. He graduated from Chippewa Falls High School in 1956, before moving across the river to attend St. Olaf College.

After meeting on a blind date, John married Karen (Bangsund) and spent 58 years together building a loving and connected community of family and friends. Their children Julie (Jeff) Michael, and Sara (Paul Vahle) Meslow, and grandchildren Sam, Charlie, Henry, Paige, and Sadie (Casey) were the pride of his life and are now the carriers and beneficiaries of his legacy to live a good and meaningful life.

After serving briefly in the Air Force, John began his career at International Multifoods and 3M, before being recruited in 1968 to become the employment manager at Medtronic. He was fortunate to spend 31 years with the company, hiring many fine employees as the company grew and providing leadership to the Neurological and Spinal Business. It was a fulfilling career devoted to championing life-giving technologies, while building many meaningful relationships, and ultimately friendships.

Grounded in his Christian faith, John was a servant leader and member of Augustana Lutheran Church for 58 years. He participated with several social service organizations, and also served on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Private College Council, Concordia College, Gillette Hospital, and SurModics.

An entrepreneur at heart, John and a friend started Arrowood Girls Basketball Camp in 1978, the first of its kind in Minnesota. In 'retirement' he founded Innovation Scholars in 2006, providing Minnesota private college students with real-life learning opportunities to study medical issues from Mayo Clinic researchers and medical start-up companies. This program brought great satisfaction and mentorship opportunities to John over the past 18 years.

Active in sports in his younger years, John became a lifelong sports supporter, watcher, and discusser! Despite being a Wisconsin boy, he became loyal to his Minnesota teams. He looked forward to the annual Ole boys fishing trip and always cherished every minute he could spend at the cabin.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Ormond and Eleanor (Jacobson) Meslow. He is survived by his brother Robert (Karen), wife, children, grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, lifelong friends, and colleagues. He was a natural leader, a sought-after friend, and a mentor to many. His gift of storytelling, genuine curiosity about people, and the twinkle in his eye will be greatly missed.

A celebration of life service will be held at Augustana Lutheran Church, 1400 South Robert Street, West St. Paul, MN, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 17, 2024, preceded by a visitation starting at 10:00 a.m.. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed to Innovation Scholars - through the Minnesota Private College Council, Augustana Lutheran Church Harvest Fund, or the charity of your choice.

Minnesota Private College Council / Innovation Scholars: mnprivatecolleges.org/giving/…

Augustana Lutheran Church: augustana.churchcenter.com/…

Published on May 5, 2024