Alfred William Klein
September 24, 1920 - March 8, 2023

ALFRED WILLIAM KLEIN: (9/24/1920 - 3/8/2023) Was born to Max and Gussie Klein in Atlantic City, NJ on Sept 24, 1920. He graduated from Atlantic City High School during the depression. His storied employment history included selling popcorn on the boardwalk, delivering milk, prospecting for uranium, working in a gold mine and welding in the shipyards in Chester, PA. During WWII, he served in the Army Corps of Engineers from 1942-1945, starting in Australia, then island hopping all the way to Japan. He was then able to attend college on the GI bill, graduating in 1950 from University of Pennsylvania with a degree in metallurgical engineering. He worked at Westinghouse as a metallurgical engineer for his entire career, moving to Pittsburgh in 1955. He obtained several patents for his work on nuclear reactors.

He married Gloria Berman in 1951. Their first children (triplets) were born in 1953, and a fourth child was born in 1959. Al embarked on many adventures, including wine making, building a sailboat (then learning to sail it), taking violin lessons, and creating stained glass pieces. He and Gloria traveled internationally and regularly attended classical music concerts and theater. After retirement in 1985, he became a perpetual Pitt student, auditing classes every semester for almost 30 years. He was an active class participant and even submitted assigned papers - in longhand.

From his armchair, he pursued his burning interest in understanding relativity, the origins of the universe, genetics and history. He was reading a physics book the week of his death.

Al, Gloria, their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren vacationed together at the beach every summer. It was our great joy last year to have four generations of Kleins bobbing in the ocean together.

When asked his secret for longevity, Al would cite three things: good genes, good fortune and great Pittsburgh doctors. We are indebted to Dr. Dennis Stull and Dr. Jennifer Lee, who cared for him with such skill and love.

Al proclaimed himself a benevolent dictator, and enjoyed a long reign over an expanding empire, including children Michael (Louisa Barnhart) from China Village, ME, Judy (Malcolm Dalglish) from Bloomington, IN, Carol (Michael Larter) from Chapel Hill, NC and Terri (Daniel Gup) from Pittsburgh, grandchildren, Naomi, Tema, Ben, Mia, Hannah, Sophia, Nathan, Emily and Noah; and great-grandchildren, Miriam, Lila, Silas, Althea and Addison.

He is survived by the above adoring subjects and his beloved wife of 72 years, Gloria. 

A Memorial Service will be held at Temple Sinai, Barnett Chapel, 5505 Forbes Avenue, Squirrel Hill on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at 2 PM. Interment Private.

If desired, a memorial contribution can be made in his honor to a cause important to you. 

Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family owned and operated. www.schugar.com 

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