Dear Kris:

Today I am because of you.

So many memories...even to say Thank-You is not enough.

Since day 1 this has been a challenging realization of reality...but I'm at peace.

May your soul, your life and previous encounters with those whom knew you propel us further into our lives. 

Every life is precious and serves a purpose....despite the length.

And your life is instilling encouragement, happiness, peace, joy, positive motivation etc.

Through the grace of God, I let you go.

Let the presence, release & freedom of your soul shed comfort to those in these hours of need.





I’m shocked and deeply saddened to hear about Kris’s passing. I spent many hours in the intensive care units working with him. He was a kind, thoughtful, and sincere person. May you find peace, Kris, and may your family find the strength to absorb this loss.

I had the honor of meeting Kris at UC Davis School of Medicine as his classmate. I loved Kris’ dry sense of humor as it matched my own. I had the pleasure of doing our 3rd year surgery rotation with Kris and was always amazed at his hard work ethic and passion for medicine. Rest in piece friend, may your family soon find peace and comfort after their devastating loss. God bless.

Kris was my best friend in high school, and remains the best friend I've ever had. I can't help but echo what others have said about his unique gift of empathy.  He understood me and offered me unconditional love when I needed it most. I didn't have to ask for it, it was something that radiated from him with an ease that I've never seen duplicated. 

I love you, brother. Thank you for every moment.

Dear Kris, 

From the moment we met in the internal medicine board room day one of our intern year at Hopkins we hit it off. Although our backgrounds and personalities could not be more different, we both shared the same excitement and fear of embracing our role as first time providers. We grew into our roles, working out of the Barker office, meeting new patients and exploring ways that we can make them feel better. On rounds at the bedside you would introduce us to the patients as real people in the most empathetic way. Your memory allowed you to recall and recite their hobbies, loved ones, and so many other details that other providers gloss over as irrelevant but your patients never found them irrelevant. You championed and advocated for your patients even when barriers and bureaucracy arose and the easier route was to remain passive.  As you put your country before yourself in your pre-medical career,  I was witness to your selflessness in medicine as you put your patient's interest above your own.  As we progressed through residency we often opted to be call partners which gave us many hours of long and meaningful  conversations that provided me with a better understanding of the world. Our friendship was professional, personal, and powerful and I will always cherish the time we spent in the medical trenches just trying to do some good. 

Rest peacefully my brave friend, 

Daniel 

Kris was such an amazing person, a wonderful friend, and a truly phenomenal physician. It was a honor to have spent three years with him as my co-resident.  As a doctor he was intelligent, kind, and compassionate. I learned so much from working with him.   I was saddened to hear that Kris had passed away. My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family.  I am, and always will be, missing Kris along with you. 

Sincerely,

Tim

I have thought of Kris frequently. I remember first meeting him, and the joy of first considering each other friends. The honesty of his character and opinion was refreshing in a rare, substantial way that is so often missing from this world. While his honesty was unusually admirable, he also possessed something beyond truthfulness—something less tangible, and more profound. Kris had an ability to comprehend people and situations in an illuminating light that few possess. 

I distinctly remember a patient that Kris admitted. I scarcely remember the patient’s physical diagnosis, but I do remember the struggles he was having that underpinned almost all of his ailments. Kris’ relationship to this patient went beyond empathy. He did not just comprehend how difficult this patient’s situation was on an intellectual level, as so many doctors do, or just resonate with the emotional struggles the patient was having, as even great doctors strive to do. Kris, in an unbelievably short amount of time, connected more deeply than that. He bridged the gap between himself and another human being, a stranger, and was able to truly grasp that person’s fears and hopes, and therefore was able to anticipate and fulfill his needs.

I have tried to emulate Kris’ ability to ally and empathize with patients, and to honestly assess and critique situations. The more I try to do these things the more I appreciate Kris’ unique talents. These same traits made hanging out with Kris socially so enjoyable. Pretenses didn’t have to be dropped, because they were never set. His authenticity was instantly disarming and what remained was most often laughter and ease. I will miss Kris immensely, and will continue to try to emulate him.

My deepest thoughts and condolences are with all of you reading this and most importantly with Kris’ family. I am profoundly sorry for your loss. I consider the memories of times with Kris a gift, and I hope there is some solace in sharing them. 

Dave Furfaro

OBITUARY

Dr. Kristopher Keith Klem

March 12, 1978 – March 26, 2018

Schimunek Funeral Home

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