Michael Klein, M.D.

October 17, 1942 - March 4, 2024 Claremont, CA

Michael Klein died at his home in Claremont on March 4, with family at his side. He was 81 years old.

Mike was born in Boston, MA. His parents had grown to adulthood in what was then Czechoslovakia, fleeing just ahead of the German occupation. His father, Fred, was a cabinet maker, and his mother, Paula, was for the most part a homemaker. When Mike was 10, the family, which by then included his younger brother Herb, moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. Mike graduated from Alameda High School in 1960 and from UC Berkeley in 1964.

Mike and Debbie met in 1966, while he was a medical student at UCLA and she was an undergrad. They married a year later, and both graduated a year after that. They moved to Cincinnati for Mike’s medical internship and back to Los Angeles for his OB-GYN residency. Mike then served for two years as a physician in the U.S. Army. In 1975 the Klein family settled in Upland, where Mike started his private medical practice, and that same year they joined Temple Beth Israel. At the time, Lisa was five and Joshua was one; Rebecca was born three years later.

Mike practiced obstetrics and gynecology for over 25 years and delivered about 5,000 babies. He practiced locally at San Antonio Hospital in Upland, Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center in Pomona, and Montclair Hospital Center (then known as Doctors Hospital) in Montclair. Following retirement he took up a variety of new activities including birding and cycling. He loved fixing and making things, especially out of wood. He was a voracious reader and enthusiastic attendee at plays, concerts, and movies. He and Debbie traveled widely for as long as his health allowed, but Mike especially treasured the time each summer when the extended Klein and Sugar families gathered for a week at the beach.

Mike had an irreverent sense of humor and almost no sense of self-importance. He valued function over form and essence over appearance. He had strong opinions and could seem gruff, but he was also extremely thoughtful, caring and kind. He was reluctant to spend money on himself but exceedingly generous with others, for which he neither expected nor desired recognition.

In his 60s Mike was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which he battled with amazing spirit for 20 years. He made the transition from doctor to patient with grace, and he was immensely grateful for the excellent care he received over all that time.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Deborah; brother Herbert (Marla) of Oxnard; children Lisa (Warren Morishige) of Alameda, Joshua (Lindsay) of Moraga, and Rebecca (Max Handler) of Seattle; grandchildren Sara and Elena Morishige, Gabe and Ethan Klein, and Remy and Calvin Handler; cousins in Israel and the Czech Republic; and his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Paula Klein.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Hematology Department of the City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte at ourhope.cityofhope.org/give; or to Temple Beth Israel at tbi.payquiq.com, or to a charity of your choice.