John E. Abele (born 1937) is an American businessman, and the co-founder and a director of Boston Scientific, a medical device company. He was awarded the ASME Medal in 2010. As of November 2024, he is recognized as a billionaire, with a net worth of approximately $1.9 billion.[1] He was first listed on the Forbes 400 in 1996 as a self-made billionaire.[1][2] Although he has given away a significant portion of his wealth, he remains Vermont's only billionaire, residing in Shelburne. Through his private family foundation, the Argosy Foundation, Abele has donated over $130 million to charitable causes since 2001.[3]
John Abele | |
|---|---|
 Abele in 2017 | |
| Born | 1937 (age 86–87) |
| Education | Amherst College |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman and inventor |
| Known for | Co-founder of Boston Scientific |
| Board member of | Argosy Foundation |
| Spouse | Mary Abele |
| Children | 3; including Chris |
Biography
editEarly life and education
editAbele was raised in a "Classic Yankee family,"[4] the youngest of three sons of Catherine (née Eaton)[4] and Lieutenant Commander Mannert Lincoln Abele, USN. His father was the commanding officer of the submarine USS Grunion when the vessel was lost in the Aleutians on July 31, 1942, presumably to enemy action.
John and his brothers later organized, managed, and funded research to locate and photograph the Grunion – which was found in the Bering Sea – document the cause, and locate relatives of all the crew.[5][6][7] At the age of seven, Abele was stricken with osteomyelitis, a bacterial infection of the bone, requiring multiple surgeries and years of using crutches.[4] He is a graduate of Amherst College with a double major in physics and philosophy[4] (he later was a trustee).[8]
Career
editHis first job was at a light-fixture company in the Midwest; he later moved back to New England to work for a small medical company near Boston.[4] Soon after he branched out on his own and co-founded Boston Scientific with Peter Nicholas.[9]
He was the chairman of FIRST robotics,[10] and was chairman from 2002 to 2010.[11]
Abele is a member of the USA Science and Engineering Festival's advisory board.[12]
Personal life
editAbele is married to Mary Abele.[13] They live in Shelburne, Vermont,[1] and have three children, including Chris Abele.[13] Chris Abele successfully ran for Milwaukee County executive in 2010.[14]
External links
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Forbes profile: John Abele". Forbes. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ^ "John Abele: Always an Educator". mddionline.com. 2015-05-05. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
- ^ Staff, A. O. L. (2024-04-16). "Forbes released its billionaire list. Here's the one Vermont billionaire". www.aol.com. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
- ^ a b c d e Amherst College: "Flowers on the Water" by Rand Richards Cooper Spring 2009
- ^ Stevens, Peter (2012). Fatal Dive: Solving the World War II Mystery of the USS Grunion. Regnery History. ISBN 978-1596987678.
- ^ Homans, Charles (2006-08-26). "Long-Lost World War II Sub May Be Found". National Public Radio. Retrieved 2007-07-05.
- ^ Business Innovation Factory; "Serendipity, Social Networking and Finding a Needle in a Haystack" retrieved March 8, 2013
- ^ "John E. Abele Profile - Forbes.com". Forbes.com. Retrieved 2010-06-09.
- ^ Ebeling, Ashlea. "Boston Scientific Cofounder John Abele Has Big Ambitions In Retirement". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-04-06.
- ^ "USFIRST.org". USFIRST.org. Archived from the original on 2010-06-12. Retrieved 2010-06-09.
- ^ "John E. Abele". FIRST. Archived from the original on 26 December 2010. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
- ^ USA Science and Engineering Festival – Advisors Archived 2010-04-21 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 2010-07-05
- ^ a b Greater Milwaukee Business Journal: "Foundation moving to Milwaukee – Chris Abele to head family's philanthropy" by Pete Millard November 17, 2002
- ^ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "Sources say Abele planning to run for Milwaukee County executive" By Daniel Bice December 17, 2010