Albert Donald Klingenberg

Albert Donald “Don” Klingenberg, 94 of Longboat Key, Florida passed away peacefully on December 5, 2024. Born in Baltimore, Maryland on March 18, 1930, Don is preceded in death by his loving parents Albert Charles and Elizabeth (Dragin) Klingenberg. 

Don spent his formative years on the Chesapeake Bay surrounded by aunts and uncles, Katherine & Bill Rades & Nell and Vic Dragin, where he developed a life-long love of Maryland Blue Crab, Scrapple, and sailing. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 70 years, Mary Dee (Dineen) Klingenberg, son Douglas (Jennifer) Klingenberg, grandchildren Astrid, Anders, and Owen Klingenberg; and daughter Janet Dee (Shawn Roberts) Foster, granddaughter Kristina Dee and great-granddaughter Brianna Murphy. 

Don received his undergraduate at Cornell University in mechanical engineering in 1952 and rowed crew. He continued his education at Harvard Business School and earned his MBA in 1954. While in Boston, he met and married his wife, Mary Dee Dineen. After graduation, Don joined the U.S. Airforce and served as an officer at Wright Patterson Airforce base in Dayton, OH. He moved his young family from Peabody, MA to Towson, MD, and eventually landed in Akron, OH, where he worked as a vice president of business planning management at BF Goodrich and Tremco before retiring in 1987.

In retirement, Don and Dee helped design and build their home on Longboat Key, Florida and spent the last 37 years enjoying daily walks around their neighborhood and at the beach, golfing at Longboat Key Club and trying to sail their little sailboat, the No Time IV. Don and Dee are members of St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church on Longboat Key. They enjoyed spending time with family and all the friends they made throughout college and various moves, staying in contact with them all these years.

Don will be missed by his wife, his children and grandchildren, to whom he instilled love, kindness, and technical wizardry. He made the summers magic for his grandchildren, hosting “Camp Bayou” and making Saturday sandwiches and Sunday breakfast for all.

A private memorial will be held for family and friends in March, 2025 to celebrate Don’s birthday. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you send any contributions to Moffit Cancer Research, The Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, and Catholic Charities.