The Honorable Richard Paul Klein (Rich), 71, of Peachtree City, Ga. passed away on Monday, March 20, 2017 in the Memory Care Center at Somerby. He was surrounded by his devoted family and just as his Pastor finished reading prayers, he passed into God’s loving arms.
Rich was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease in 2008 and retired early from his position as an Administrative Law Judge for the Merit System Protection Board.
Rich was born on May 5, 1945 to the late Reverend Frank O. Klein and Ruth Klinzing Klein in Pittsburgh, Pa. He moved to Suitland, Md. at age five and resided there until he left for college. He was the epitome of goodness and righteousness in the court system. Rich believed in civil rights for everyone which was evidenced by his exemplary performance over the years. He combined his degrees in theology and law to ensure fair hearings and was a mentor to many younger attorneys in his office.
Rich was always an avid sports fan and grew up playing baseball and basketball in school. He played golf for four years on his college team and continued playing until four years ago when his many golf buddies helped him navigate the Flat Creek course. He thoroughly enjoyed his many years on a men’s travel fast-pitch softball team. Rich coached his son’s Buckhead baseball little league teams and is still fondly referred to as “Coach Klein” by former players. He and his wife had season tickets over the years to the Hawks, Braves and Falcons, and he passed along his incredible love of sports to his three sons.
Rich earned a degree in Political Science from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, a Masters of Theology degree from Trinity Lutheran Seminary and a Juris Doctorate from University of Maryland Law School.
He was a lifelong Lutheran who served as congregational president several times and served on numerous committees, including several at the national level. He thoroughly enjoyed working to build homes with Habitat for Humanity and traveled as a chaperone to ELCA national youth conventions.
Rich was honored to serve as the Parlimentarian at the ELCA Southeastern Synod Assembly meetings and teaching LOGOS classes at his church.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Leslie Davis Klein. They were married in Washington, DC in 1969 and moved to Atlanta, Ga. in 1975. They enjoyed traveling in the US and abroad, but were happiest spending time at Hilton Head Island with family and friends. They have three sons living in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Jeff and Allison live in Peachtree City with their children, Davis and Anne Marie. David and Betsy live in Sandy Springs with their daughter Della. Michael and July live in Alpharetta with their daughters, Milly and Emmy. Rich delighted in spending time playing with and teasing his grandchildren. They will have fond memories of visiting their PapPap at the “hotel.” Rich has two loving sisters: Judy Klein Taylor and her husband Bob from Asheville, N.C. and Linda Klein Hall and her husband Gary from the Outer Banks, N.C. He has one nephew, Robert Taylor, Jr. (Jennifer), and four nieces, Kristina Taylor Lewis (Eric), Ashley Hall Shoemaker (Ben), Lindsay Hall Weber (Steven), and Sara Davis.
The memorial service for Judge Klein will be Saturday, April 1, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, 101 N Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree City. Visitation will be held prior to the service at 10 a.m. A reception will follow the service. Prior to cremation, at his request, his family donated his brain and spinal cord to Emory University Alzheimer’s Research Center. Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home in Peachtree City is in charge of arrangements. He will be interred in the Columbarium at Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contribution be made to Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church or to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s disease in your area. Rich’s family and friends participated in this walk several times and pray that a cure for this horrible disease will soon be found.
The family would like to thank Dr. Allan Levey and his staff at Emory University Neurological Center, the staff in the Memory Care Center at Somerby, and Gentiva Hospice who lovingly cared for their “Judge” until his final day.
Carl J Mowell & Son Funeral Home, Peachtree City – www.mowellfuneralhome.com.
