Saluting the Life and Career of John Stropki

We mourn the passing of our friend, retired chairman, president, and CEO of Lincoln Electric, John Stropki.

John passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at the age of 68. “John was a true industry icon and a great role model for our generation,” shares Jack Butler, our CEO. “He challenged yet nurtured us as his distributors with his competitive spirit and value-driven excellence. Besides rooting for the Cleveland Browns, I never questioned his judgement.”

John’s funeral services held over the weekend featured Lincoln Electric welding machines and his favorite Cleveland Browns cheer led by his family.

His 41-year career at Lincoln Electric began as a summer intern while attending college. John worked his way up through the organization, earning every next rung on his career ladder with passion and talent.

“He was an industry advocate,” Jack reflects. “He participated in GAWDA/NWSA, AWS, IOMA, and BIG always. When Don Hastings (then current chairman and CEO of Lincoln Electric) introduced young John Stropki to me in the early 1980’s, he told me that ‘this guy will be President of Lincoln Electric someday’ and he sure was.”

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