OBITUARY | Dr. Joseph Klein

Dr. Joseph Klein, 103, of Sarasota and formerly of Longboat Key and Wilkes-Barre, Pa., died Sept. 9.

Dr. Klein was born in Wilkes-Barre and attended Wyoming Seminary, where he graduated Cum Laude. He attended the University of Michigan for undergraduate and medical school. He was very proud of being a wolverine and could be found during football season in a Sarasota sports bar cheering for his team. He was proud to wear his Michigan jacket everywhere, even while riding a horse at 100.

He served his country as a medical doctor during World War II in the Indian Theatre.

Known to many as Dr. Joe, he was the first pediatrician in Wilkes-Barre and Kingston, Pa. and practiced from 1939 until his retirement in 1982. Since then, he was in touch with many former patients. His retirement years were spent in Longboat Key and Plymouth Harbor. To him, it was “Camelot.” He played winning duplicate bridge at the Friendship Center in Sarasota until a month before his death. Because he lived such a long and healthy life, he was able to spend quality time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always teaching them tennis and golf as well as life’s values. As the patriarch of the family, he was in close contact with cousins, nieces and nephews.

He died just days before his 104th birthday. He was strong, independent and in good health until a month ago. He lived his life to the fullest with a keen intellect and a passion for exercise, knowledge and art, but his greatest passion was his wife of 76 years, Shirley.

He is preceded in death by his son, Robert; twin brother, Ralph; and five other brothers and sisters. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; son, William; daughter-in-law, Marjorie; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Services were held on Sept. 13 in Wilkes-Barre.

The family requests contributions be made to his beloved University of Michigan Medical School, 1301 Catherine, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.