In Memory: Peter Martin Klein, Age 70
Peter Martin Klein, beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather and friend, and dedicated colleague and volunteer, died Dec. 6, 2021 at age 70, several days after an accidental fall.
Born Aug. 8, 1951 in New York City to William and Mina Klein, Peter grew up with his sister Kate in Strafford, Pa. and Rye, N.Y. Peter graduated from Rye Country Day School in 1969 and attended Temple University and American University to complete his B.A. in Sociology. Along the way, he grew from a dutiful, creative child to a cool and cultured young adult of the late 60s and early 70s who attended Woodstock and spent time abroad.
In 1969, while at Temple, Peter made a point to introduce himself to Martha Nerich to compliment her on a snarky quip she’d made in the English class they shared, thus setting the tone for their 52 years of love, laughter, and mutual support. They married in 1975 and later, while living in Annapolis, Md., joyfully welcomed their three children. The family moved to Baltimore in 1985. Peter was a devoted father-always making sure to be home for bedtime stories, taking the kids to the library on Saturdays, being the family cheerleader/pest for routine dental and vision care, and being a constant source of love and support (interspersed with plenty of humor and goofiness) throughout his children’s lives.
Peter was a talented and dedicated worker and manager. Across two full careers (21 years with the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association and 19 more at the Electrical Workers Trust Fund Local 26) Peter supported unionized workers through management of their health and retirement plans, becoming a renowned expert along the way. His kind, confident demeanor translated to a style of leadership that brought both organizational success and lifelong friendships. Peter never stopped learning: he earned an M.A. in human resources management from Notre Dame University of Maryland (1991) and a certificate in graphic design (2009), and was always a student of life with a strong interest in politics and current events.
Peter also used his professional talents in support of his community. Affected directly by the AIDS epidemic-one of Peter and Martha’s closest friends died of the disease in 1986-Peter got involved with the Health Education Resource Organization (HERO), a respected model for clinical and counseling support of individuals with HIV/AIDS, and he helped organize Baltimore’s annual AIDSWalk. Peter also participated in the 2001 AIDSRide, a 400-mile ride from Montreal to Portland, Maine to raise money for research and patient services. Peter also joined the board of Moveable Feast, a Maryland charity founded as a home-delivered meal service for those living with HIV/AIDS. In addition to his service to the HIV/AIDS community, Peter volunteered his time reading to the visually impaired via a public radio station in honor of his mother’s family, who suffered from a history of blindness.
Following his second “retirement” and a few additional years of service to providers of health and welfare benefit plans, Peter was preparing to finally, truly retire. He planned to travel with Martha, spend more time with his grandchildren (who adored their “Po,” as he was known), and enjoy more time in his “happy place,” Rehoboth Beach, Del. While his was a life well-lived, Peter was taken from us all far too soon.
Peter leaves behind his wife and best friend, Martha, Baltimore, MD; sister Kate Klein, London, UK; three children and their partners, Keavney Klein deClouet (Paul), Washington, DC, Owen Klein (Lauren), Nashville, TN, and Delaney Klein (fiancé Benjamin Jessup), Washington, DC; and three grandchildren, William and Ferris deClouet, Washington, DC, and Miles Klein, Nashville, TN. Peter will also be missed by treasured friends, colleagues and extended family whose lives he touched.
The family will be holding a private celebration of life in April. In lieu of gifts, friends are asked to make a donation in Peter’s honor to Moveable Feast.
