Peter Franklin Klein passed away in Sun City Center, Florida on April 20, 2018 after a long illness.
He was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chicago on April 9, 1939 to Dorothy M Berndt Klein and Peter C Klein. Peter grew up in Rogers Park, where he attended St. Ignatius Grammar School. He went on to Lane Technical College High School Prep, where he played on the championship 1956-57 basketball team. After high school, he attended and graduated from St. Mary’s College Winona, MN where he also played on the men’s varsity basketball team.
Peter’s love of sports was fostered at The Lincoln Turners Hall where he spent countless hours doing gymnastics apparatus, track and field events and ball sports. No sport however, captured his love of athletics like basketball, which started at St. Ignatius. He continued to play weekly well into his sixties. He religiously followed both NBA and college ball right up until the final months of his life. Nothing gave him greater joy than to cheer on his favorite teams. Most importantly, he was a long suffering Chicago Cubs fan, who was thrilled he lived to see them finally take the World Series.
Peter is survived by his three daughters: Kimberly Klein Fleming (John Fergus), Wendy Klein Bauers (Mike) and Julie Klein Cassidy; son, Brett Eugene Klein (Amy); as well as his loving sister, Jacquelyn Klein Fie (Larry); nephews, Jeffrey Uphues (Aimee) and Christopher Uphues (Susie). He was blessed with eight beautiful granddaughters aged 2 to 24 years. Preceding him in death was the love of his life, Pallas Elkheart.
A service and celebration of his life will be held at a future date.