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On behalf of the World Food Prize Laureates and Council of Advisors, the World Food Prize Foundation extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Herman C. Kilpper, who passed away July 8, 2025 in Roseville, California, with his granddaughters by his side. Kilpper was the first Executive Director of the World Food Prize Foundation when it was relocated to Des Moines, Iowa in 1990.
A close business associate of John Ruan, Sr., and longtime employee of Ruan, Kilpper served the Foundation for a decade, until his retirement at the end of 1999. He was a constant presence with Mr. Ruan, working closely on a variety of projects.
"Herman Kilpper played an absolutely essential role in successfully implementing John Ruan Sr.'s vision to rescue "the Prize" and transplant it in central Iowa, where it has grown to global prominence,” said Amb. Kenneth Quinn, President Emeritus, World Food Prize Foundation.
During Kilpper's tenure, he inaugurated the first World Food Prize Youth Institute. While that first Youth Institute had only 14 students, all from Iowa, today, the program has expanded to 34 Youth Institutes across 21 states and seven countries. These culminate in the Global Youth Institute, which is a week-long academic conference held each year during the International Borlaug Dialogue in October that has engaged almost 4,000 students to date.
At the inaugural World Food Prize Youth Institute, titans like President Jimmy Carter, World Food Prize founder Dr. Norman Borlaug and 1994 World Food Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh—all also Nobel Peace Prize Laureates—provided an extraordinary foundation for the expansive youth programming the Foundation offers today. Over the last 30 years, nearly 90,000 students have participated in a Youth Institute.
In addition to the inaugural Youth Institute, Kilpper, in collaboration with Iowa State University, also oversaw the creation of an international internship program for high school students. Now known as the Borlaug-Ruan International Internship, it provides participants with an eight-week summer experience at leading international agricultural research centers across the globe.
“Herman was a quiet and gentle man whom I thoroughly enjoyed working with,” said Jan Douglas, retired, World Food Prize Foundation employee. “He was truly dedicated to the purpose and success of the World Food Prize and it showed in all he did. He worked tirelessly to help realize the dreams of Dr. Borlaug and Mr. Ruan to raise awareness of food security issues around the world and to reward the efforts of those who seek so diligently to alleviate hunger. He will be missed by family and friends all around the world.”
Kilpper also oversaw the World Food Prize’s 10th anniversary celebration at the Greater Des Moines Civic Center, which featured a performance by John Denver. That event significantly raised awareness of the Foundation both globally and in Iowa.
“Herman Kilpper’s dedication and leadership helped lay the foundation for everything the World Food Prize has become today” said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. “His commitment to John Ruan, Sr. and the Ruan family's vision ensured the Prize would not only endure but flourish in Iowa, inspiring generations to come. We are deeply grateful for his lasting contributions and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and all who knew him.”
An image of Herman Kilpper is permanently displayed in the Founders Boardroom at the Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates as an enduring reflection of his role in laying the groundwork for the World Food Prize Foundation during its first decade in Iowa.