John Frederick Klein

John F. Klein, 75, passed away at the Villa Manor Care Center in Denver, CO on June 6, 2020, with his sister Barbara by his side. John was born September 20, 1944, in Brooklyn, New York. He was the son of John "Jack" and Marie Klein, and spent the majority of his life in Port Washington, New York.

After graduating from Port Washington High School, he earned a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Clarkson College in 1966. Mr. Klein quickly earned Masters and PhD level degrees respectively in Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis in Thermonuclear and Fluid Dynamics by 1969 from The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 1972 he earned a Master Degree in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Mr. Klein's achievements in the Aerospace Industry over his life time are numerous. Notably, as a life time leader in Aerospace research and development, he was awarded a total of 10 US and 44 International patents. Many of those patents lead to the production of dozens of innovative products in the industry. He was also a member of several honorary societies and national engineering organizations.

John's intellectual capacity was closely matched by his enthusiasm for sports and the outdoors. He taught himself how to ski as a kid and continued to ski his entire life in the Northeast, Rocky Mountains and Europe. He was a life time member of the Swiss Ski Club of New York. He applied his engineering knowledge to manage other members in the construction of their own 40+ person ski chalet in Waitsfield, VT that still flourishes to this day. In the summer he loved to spend his weekends windsurfing off the beaches of Long Island, N.Y., as well hike and mountain bike anywhere he could find a trail. He shared all of his recreational interests with his family, especially with his two sons, and was always an enthusiastic supporter of any new adventures they aspired to do.

Beyond time spent with family, friends and in his career, John loved to travel. He travelled through Africa, Peru, Mexico and Canada, as well as all over the United States. He even managed to travel to Russia during the peak of The Cold War, wearing a trench coat of course.

John was a dedicated and affectionate son, brother, father, grandfather and friend. He inspired people to be creative, think independently and to follow their dreams. His humor and quick wit are remembered fondly by everyone he knew.

He is survived by his sister Barbara of Denver, CO. He is also survived by his son Jack and wife Kelly of Denver, CO, and his son Alex and wife Kathy and their three children Colleen, Jack and Max, of Denver, CO. Also surviving are his cousins Fred, Nancy and Paul with their spouses and children.

A celebration of John's life will be held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in any amount in memory of John F. Klein to:

(MIT) Massachusetts Institute of Technology for the Ascher H. Shapiro Fellowship Fund in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Credit card gifts can be made using the following link: https://giving.mit.edu/john-klein

ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) for the Careers that Matter fund. Credit card gifts dedicated to John’s memory can be made using the following link using the following link: https://www.asmefoundation.org/donate/

Clarkson University. The Clarkson Fund will set aside donations for student aide where it is needed in John’s name. Credit card gifts can be made using the following link;

https://connect.clarkson.edu/register/giving