Jerome Anthony "“Jerry”" Klun

1939 - 2026

Jerome "Jerry" Anthony Klun, a resident of Clarksburg, Maryland and formerly of Potomac, Maryland; Ames, Iowa; Duluth, Minnesota; and Ely, Minnesota, passed away on Friday, January 2, 2026, in Silver Spring, Maryland at the age of 86.
Born May 4, 1939, in Ely, Minnesota, Jerry was one of seven children born to the late Anton D. Klun and Julia A. (Pishler) Klun. He carried Ely with him wherever he lived, and he never lost the Northwoods in him.
An avid outdoorsman, Jerry's love of the wilderness was forged during his guiding days in the U.S.-Canadian Boundary Waters. His favorite place was the remote Curtain Falls, a rugged and stunningly beautiful destination that is a reward for those willing to work to reach it. He and his brothers and friends would take annual, weeklong fishing and canoeing trips, often flying into Canada in a floatplane and portaging, camping, and fishing back into the United States. Beyond hunting and fishing, he enjoyed taking on challenging building, renovation, and maintenance projects, including brick laying, framing and wiring his garage, and splitting wood to keep the home warm through winter.
Jerry graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1956. He earned an Associate of Arts from Vermilion State Junior College-Ely (1958), a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Minnesota-Duluth (1961), and a Doctorate in Entomology from Iowa State University (1965). After graduation, he began his 45 years of federal service with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) laboratories, starting in Ankeny, Iowa, and later in Maryland at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center.
Dr. Klun was an accomplished USDA scientist and internationally recognized entomologist, known for his exacting standards and "measure twice" approach. A scientist and intellect at heart, he was a clear-eyed thinker who challenged assumptions, spotted logical fallacies, and sought innovation, all to "advance the frontiers of science." He mentored University of Maryland doctoral candidates and interns in his research laboratory.
Jerry was always curious and enthusiastic about applying science to learn more about nature. He was an innovator who combined biology and chemistry to better understand insect communication, plant resistance to insect pests, and the chemical structures behind insect repellents, especially for moths, mosquitoes, ticks, and sand flies. He knew insects often found one another by emitting scents. He isolated these scent molecules, modified them with subtle structural differences to "give the male a stuffed-up nose, so he can't find the female" thereby curbing the pest population without pesticides. He conducted extensive studies revealing how insects break down and respond to these chemicals. He also developed new research methods and instruments, such as the invention of the cold table that kept insect specimens still.
Jerry's foundational work was communicated in more than 200 peer-reviewed papers and seven patents. In 2002, he became one of the first recipients of the newly created Swenson College of Science and Engineering Inspiring Scientists and Engineers Award at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. This award recognizes alumni who have made outstanding contributions in science, engineering, and materials.
Jerry and Phyllis R. VanRiper were married in 1966. They hosted annual pheasant hunting parties and raised their three children: Curt A. Klun, who earned two master's degrees as well as a doctorate of statecraft and national security; Eric L. Klun, founder and owner of All About Sound and Video, a full-service audio/video comfort, and energy management company; and Toinette M. Culp, who holds master's and doctorate degrees in physical therapy.
When his two boys and only daughter were young, he often played with them on the floor, took them on adventures, including sledding, playing on playgrounds, and walks along creek beds in public parks, and taking them hunting, having them bird dog to flush and retrieve the pheasants. The family still laughed about "the one that got away." One day the biggest pheasant jumped up; Jerry took his shots, and the bird escaped, though not without losing most of its proud tail feathers. The family always imagined that old cock would never strut among the hens quite the same way again.
In 1993, Jerry married Harriet L. Rosenfeld. They enjoyed the finer things in life together in their Potomac, Maryland home, often dining by candlelight, and on their boat, moored in a Chesapeake Bay cove or in Herrington Harbour, Maryland. Boating was the perfect hobby and lifestyle for him because there was always something to replace, maintain, or make just a bit better. Always the fisherman at heart, Captain Jerry, along with family and friends, spend countless hours trolling the Chesapeake Bay for trophy rockfish, catching many keepers and earning several tournament citations (40+) for hauling in a 40-50-pound fish.
Jerry kept his circle small, but the friendships he formed ran deep. One of those enduring bonds was with Gerd Heinson. After finishing a hard job together, one would say, "Thank you," and the quick reply was always, "For what?" It did not matter who benefited from the task. It was their way of saying there was no need for fanfare and no keeping score, just shared effort, mutual respect and accomplished of a challenging task.
He was proud of his Ely family, the family's Klun Store in Ely, and its Slovenian heritage, especially sausage making and smoking, a tradition that he and his brothers learned from their father and which Jerry diligently passed on to his son, Eric. He also loved grilling, filling and watching his bird feeder, listening to music, playing the guitar, cheering for the Washington Capitals hockey team, and fiercely competing in billiards and cribbage.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Laurence J. Klun and Philip J. Klun. He is survived by his sister Geraldine Petrich and brothers Robert T. Klun, Thomas P. Klun, and David J. Klun, along with their families; his wife, Harriet, and his step-children Dr. A. Gregory Rosenfeld (Priscilla B.), and Karen Rosenfeld-Dean; his former wife, Phyllis R. Klun, the mother of his children; his sons Curt A. Klun (Amy E.), and Eric L. Klun (Aida M.); his daughter Toinette M. Culp (Elbert L.); his grandchildren Julia E. Klun, William L. Klun, Alexis J. Klun, Hannah G. Klun, Caden L. Culp, and Ella R. Culp; and his step-grandchildren Matthew G. Rosenfeld (Nicole V.), Lindsay E. Rosenfeld (Kevin J.), Taylor M. Rosenfeld (Addie B.), Robert M. Dean (Samantha L.), and Sarah F. Bolding (Chad B.) as well as extended family; and dear friends.
The family will announce memorial service arrangements at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, online gifts in memory of Jerome A. Klun may be made to Dementia Society of America www.DementiaSociety.org/donate.