David Kleinberg

1958 - 2012

David Howard Kleinberg
May 15, 1958 - April 5, 2012
Resident of Menlo Park
Entrepreneur and Silicon Valley executive Dave Kleinberg passed away on April 5, 2012 following a brave battle with lung cancer. Dave is survived by his two children, Elliot and Alexis, his parents Robert of Albuquerque, NM and Marcia Ross of Carlsbad, CA, and his two brothers, Steve and Bruce Kleinberg of Dallas, TX. Dave was born on May 15, 1958 in Lansing, Michigan, and grew up in Albuquerque, NM where he graduated from Highland High School. He attended Georgetown University and graduated in 1979 with a degree in English Literature and American Government, which kindled a lifelong interest in international business, politics, music and cultural affairs. He was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship upon graduation, and spent the following year at la Universidad de los Andes in Bogota, Colombia, where he studied Economics and became fluent in Spanish. Upon his return from Colombia, Dave entered the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he graduated with an MBA in 1983. While at Stanford, Dave was instrumental in hosting a successful conference on economic development in emerging markets attended by business and political leaders from around the world. Dave spent his early years working in sales for ROLM in Tokyo, Japan, before returning to the U.S. where his career encompassed work for several pioneering companies of Silicon Valley. He joined Apple Computer where he headed up product marketing for the various Asian versions of the Macintosh and led the development of KanjiTalk, which dramatically accelerated Apple's growth in Japan. In 1989, Dave brought the same international acumen to Macromedia, and led the company's Pacific Rim Sales. In 1992, Dave fulfilled a long-time dream to embark on his first entrepreneurial venture by joining NetObjects as Co-Founder and EVP of Marketing and Sales. He helped take the company public in 1999 after its successful sale to IBM in 1997. In the last ten years, Dave has been the CEO of three successful start-ups. Dave was known for his keen intellect, strategic thinking, and persistence in developing great products. Dave was a devoted father to Elliot and Alexis (Lexi). He taught them how to read and shared his love for music with them, both in bands and casual jamming at home. He loved their family vacations and special times at the beach and in the mountains. Dave also loved cooking, eating out with friends, listening to and playing music, and spending time with his children. Dave's partner and confidante, Judy Maille, and her daughter Shayna provided Dave with much love and joy over the past five years. Dave will be missed by all those who knew him as a loving father, son, brother, partner or friend, enthusiastic cook, accomplished musician, and business leader. The celebration of Dave's life will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday April 12, 2012 at Alta Mesa Funeral Home 695 Arastradero Road Palo Alto, CA. The family welcomes friends of Dave who would like to attend.