Dr. Stuart N. Kline
November 10, 2015

Surrounded by his loving family, Dr. Stuart Kline passed away peacefully in his home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on November 10, 2015. Stuart was born in Johnstown PA in 1931 to the late Dr. Harry and Sarah Kline and was brother of the late Iris Rotman. He was the loving husband to the late Frani Zimmerman Kline and Clara Jeanne Cooper Kline. He is survived by his three children Aaron Kline, Jani Kline Singer and Debra Kline Demchak (William) and five grandchildren, Emily, Sam, Tyler, Jack and Sydney. He is also survived by his long time companion and loving care giver Rosa (Oshy) Chavez. Stuart attended Westmont Upper Yoder High School where he lettered in basketball, baseball, track, and football and distinguished himself as a National Merit Scholar. Upon graduation, Stuart attended the University of Pittsburgh on a football scholarship and played for the Panthers from 1949-1952. While playing football, Stuart obtained both his B.S. and D.D.S. His post-graduate work, also completed at the University of Pittsburgh, was in oral and maxillofacial surgery. In 1955, Stuart joined the oral surgery practice of Sydney Spatz and Harold Zubrow. He practiced at many hospitals in the Pittsburgh area, most notably Montefiore Hospital, where he earned a reputation as both an educator and a surgeon. In 1971, desiring to return to academia, Stuart joined the University of Miami School of Medicine/Jackson Memorial Hospital as the Chief of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery where he was affectionately known as "The Professor". As a trauma surgeon, he built one of the premier centers in the country for training in OMS. He educated more than 100 residents from around the world in his 35 years of service. During his tenure at Jackson Memorial Hospital, Stuart pioneered many new procedures, becoming an innovator in his field. In 2004 he received the Presidential Achievement Award and in 2006 the Donald B. Olsen Award for Outstanding Educator from the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Stuart also served on the medical staff for the Miami Hurricanes football team. In 1983, Stuart was awarded the Pitt Varsity Letterman of Distinction for his accomplishments both on and off the field. He later established a scholarship at Pitt which supports an offensive lineman who demonstrates academic excellence. In 2011, he had the honor of being inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame of Western Pennsylvania. Stuart was driven by his belief that good, quality health care was a basic right for everyone. He dedicated himself to providing for people who could not afford the care they needed; always ensuring that the care they received was of an exceptional standard. These principles of fairness and justice were woven into his life's work of caring for others. Later in his career, after the onslaught of the AIDS crisis in health care, he dedicated himself to Aids research, treating patients with respect and dignity. He spent many hours researching the pathology of AIDS and how it affected one's overall health. He worked tirelessly to develop a framework for the managed care of AIDS patients. Throughout Stuart's life, he had a great love for fishing that took him to many countries, often exchanging professional surgical services for the secret to the best local fishing spot. He shared his love of fishing with his residents, friends and family. When he wasn't fishing, he was often found on a golf course in his earlier years and later at the bridge table. He loved sharing these pastimes with his many friends, both old and new. A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, November 15th at 1 PM at Rodef Shalom Temple, 4905 Fifth Avenue (at Morewood). Visitation one half hour prior to services at Temple, (12:30 - 1 PM). Shiva to follow at the home of Debra and William Demchak  3 - 8 p.m. On December 13th, a memorial will be held at Temple Beth Sholom, 4144 Praire Avenue in Miami Beach, Florida at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the University of Pittsburgh Department of Athletics to support the Stuart N. Kline Football Scholarship, P.0. Box 7436, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. www.schugar.com

Condolences

My sincerest condolences to his entire family. Dr. Kline was a special person and had a major impact on my life. I was fortunate enough to share his passion of fishing and be introduced to fishing by him at a young age. My first experience fishing with him was out of Key Largo. He handed me the rod to catch my first big Dolphin. We went back to his house that evening and Clara cooked it up. I caught the fishing bug and he was kind enough to take me on multiple overnight trips to the Bahamas and Dry Tortugas. On these trips with Dr. Kline, I learned much more then fishing. He taught me lessons of life and became a role model. He was a special person of high character and integrity. Although he is no longer with us, his lessons and spirit will live in the hearts and minds of countless people. He will be greatly missed.

Our sincere condolences. Your Dad was an amazing man, loved and admired by all that knew him. He was a unique individual that commanded and deserved respect by all that was priviledged to know him, and he received that honor by all. We loved him and miss him.