Obituary of James Richard Klein

James Richard Klein, known as Jim, died of prostate cancer on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at the age of 65. He died in his home in Great Falls, VA, holding his wife LuAnn's hand, as she read him poems of love. Jim and LuAnn recently celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary on June 13 in the company of their four children. Jim was born November 21, 1947 in Bryn Mawr, PA. He grew up on the main line near Villanova University, outside of Philadelphia PA. While times were often hard, the support and love of his extended family encouraged him to set high goals for himself. He earned a Bachelor's of Science in Mathematics from Villanova in 1969 where he also met and fell in love with LuAnn. He briefly attended graduate school at Ohio State University, but he couldn't stand to be away from LuAnn, who was studying at the Walter Reed Medical Center in Maryland. Jim transferred schools to be closer to his true love, and married her the following summer, June 13, 1970 in her hometown of Newport News, VA. He served during the Vietnam War as a military intelligence specialist stationed in Falls Church, Virginia. After his active duty was over, he earned his Masters of Science in Computer Science from the University of Maryland in 1975. Early in their marriage, Jim and LuAnn were inspired by the words they saw hanging on the hearth of a friend's home: "While we live, let us live". To them it meant that they couldn't put off their dreams and that they should celebrate life at every turn. Jim and LuAnn built their life on the cornerstone of their relationship. It was the two of them, no matter what, in "Usland forever". Jim described his love for LuAnn in many poems, including "One Hundred Seasons," a poem that he wrote to commemorate their 25th anniversary in 1995. Jim had a successful career in the healthcare technology industry, serving as an Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, and was proud of his contributions as an analyst, writer, and visionary. He was a champion for health care technology standards and electronic medical records and was known for providing "Maximum Technical Arousal" - which meant that he could get you excited about the new technologies. While he was passionate about his career, Jim said his children were his true life's work. He called himself their booster rocket. He was fascinated by space travel and inspired by how booster rockets carry the space shuttle to the top of the atmosphere and then fall away, allowing the shuttle to complete its mission under its own propulsion. He provided each of his children love, support, and education to set them on a path for success. He respected their individuality and trusted in their ability to make their own life for themselves once the booster rockets fell away. Jim coached many youth soccer, basketball, and baseball teams and travelled all over the United States to cheer on his children, even in their adult years. He had a whole binder full of team photos with kids who knew him as "Coach Klein". He loved to invent fun cheers and nick-names for his kids such as "Francis the Fabulous Fullback", "Gertrude the Gutsy Goalie", "Wanda the Wonderful Wing", and "Hanna the Half-mad Half-back". He made his presence known on the sideline at every game he attended, even when he wasn't the coach. He had a build-you-up mentality and took great pride in getting each of his players to feel success, whether it was by scoring a goal from "the garbage spot" or getting their first run. Jim travelled to many exotic locations for work and pleasure, and enjoyed many wonderful vacations with his family and close friends at lakes in New England and Virginia. At the lake, "Coach Klein" became "Uncle Jim" the waterski instructor. He invented lots of wacky products to help beginning skiers: butt glue, knee grease, and dew protectors were some of the more successful. In 2002, Jim bought a lake house in Lousia, Virginia which has become the meeting place for his children, grandchildren, and his whole network of friends and relatives. An avid reader of science, mathematics and philosophy, Jim loved the world of ideas. He was an excellent storyteller who loved engaging in spiritual and academic discussions. He believed that in loving and living for others, we find eternal life. Jim is predeceased by his parents Donald and Alice Klein and his brother Thomas. He is survived by his wife, LuAnn Witty Klein; daughters and son-in-laws MaryLu and Michael Hertz, Katie and Jeff Shepley, and Jenny and C.J. Colavito; son Jimmy; sister Mary; brothers John, Ed, and Robert; and six grandchildren: Jackie, Isaac, Alice, Joey, Luke, and Lori. Please consider a memorial donation in honor of Jim to the American Cancer Society or the Prostate Cancer Foundation.