Thomas R. Klei passed away peacefully at home with his family at his side in the late afternoon hours of Monday, April 18, 2022 after a twenty-plus year struggle with heart failure and an acute forty-two day battle with liver cancer. He remained steadfast, optimistic, and pragmatic in the face of his recent diagnosis, yearning to make his 80th birthday and Christmas (his favorite holiday) this year.
Tom was born in Detroit, Michigan, on December 11, 1942 to Violet Marie and Walter Klei. His father was killed on a naval ammunition ship, USS Mount Hood, on November 10, 1944. Tom always shared the story, vividly remembering being almost 2 years old when the service men knocked on the front door and delivered the death notification to his mother. When Tom was 5, his mother remarried Donald Benson, a veteran in the U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division. Don raised Tom as his own, and Tom considered Don to be his “Dad” and loved him dearly. Don taught him how to shoot, using 22 rifles with 22 short ammunition in the basement of their home. He also taught Tom how to hunt, which became a life-long passion and hobby. His mother and father had three more boys, Dean, Dennis and Donnie; Tom was a natural caregiver and patient elder brother to them all. Tom attended elementary school in Detroit and moved to Roseville, MI in 1953. He was a stalwart offensive lineman for the Roseville High School “Wildcats” and was recognized as MVP in 1959. After high school, Tom attended Northern Michigan University (NMU), graduating in 1965 with a major in Biology and double minors in Chemistry and Physical Education. His time at NMU included two years of college football as an offensive lineman, and the position of President in the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. Tom married his wife, Rosemary Johnston, August 27, 1965 and earned his Ph.D. in Parasitology and Microbiology from Wayne State University in 1971.
Tom’s extensive career in academia began with his National Institutes of Health post-doctoral fellow at the University of Georgia (1971-1973), where he was also a Research Associate in the Department of Parasitology. From 1973-1975, he was an Assistant Professor of Biology at Millersville State College in Pennsylvania. He joined the faculty at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) in 1975, serving as Assistant Professor of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology. He was jointly appointed in 1976 to the Department of Veterinary Science in the LSU Agricultural Center, where he developed a research program on helminth parasites of horses. In 1992, he was given the highest professorial ranking awarded by LSU, the prestigious Boyd Professorship. He served as the Associate Dean for Research and Advanced studies in the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine for 11 years and retired as the LSU Interim Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development in 2013.
Dr. Klei’s research career focused on the biology and host-parasite relationships of nematode parasites, with a focus on immunology and pathogenesis in experimental models of human lymphatic filariasis. His research was funded by a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 sub-contract as part of a team to develop a vaccine against onchocerciasis. He had continuous extramural support for his research from NIH, the World Health Organization, the USDA and the pharmaceutical industry since 1976. He was the principal investigator (PI) on the INBRE Louisiana Biomedical Research Network Program since 2007 and was the co-director of a NIH T32 grant. He was also a co-investigator of a NIH COBRE grant in Experimental Infectious Disease. Tom was also dedicated to helping young researchers. He originated and was the PI of a NIH T35 grant for training veterinary students in biomedical research, and he trained numerous graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and research professors over his career of 43 years. Tom also served on many committees within the SVM and LSU as well as national and international groups. He was true scholar and a gentleman scientist of the highest caliber.
He was a devoted and loving husband, father, brother and Paw Paw. His family was the most important thing to him, and everything he did in life was for them. He will always be a “hero” in the eyes of his daughter. He was exceptionally proud of his only grandson, Thomas, his namesake. Tom was a master cook and experimented with many different tastes, enjoying different cuisine from around the world. Many thought of him as “Santa Claus.” At Christmas, he would visit LSU campus in his red Santa suit and accompanied by his jingling elves. He would hand out candy canes to the children and pretty ladies, and he carried little pony beers for the good BIG boys. He loved to travel the world with family or friends, whether for work or just as an adventure for fun. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed the Sportsman Paradise that is Louisiana. He was a duck hunter at heart! He had many friends and considered them as family. He was a host with the most for many Klei events held at his home, including the annual Christmas Eve party. He was a generous, kind, smart man who supported anyone in need with wise words or a big hug. He will be missed beyond words of expression but will live in the hearts of those he influenced, loved and inspired.
Tom was preceded in death by his grandparents, Albert Blyer and Lula Blyer, his fathers, Walter Klei and Donald Benson, mother, Violet Benson, devoted wife of 43 years, Rosemary Johnston Klei, brothers, Dean Benson and Donnie Benson, and his caring wife, Cynthia Morris. He is survived by his loving daughter, Catherine Marie Klei-Brackin, son-in-law, James Leslie Brackin, and grandson, Thomas James Brackin, brother, Dennis Benson, niece, Melissa Uresti, Cynthia’s son, William Morris, (wife Deelee Szczurek Morris, and daughter Violet Morris), Cynthia’s daughter, Laura Morris Goodson (husband Bradley Goodson and sons Gabriel and Kyle Goodson.) A graveside ceremony was held privately at Greenoaks Funeral Home on April 22,2022. A Celebration of Life will be planned at the LSU Faculty Club at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the LSU Foundation and the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.
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