Karl John Paul Klein
August 3rd, 1943 – March 7th 2010
...he ran Home.
Karl was born in Brigidau, Poland literally on the run while his family was fleeing Russia and he passed away suddenly Sunday while on a run in Victoria.
He was six years old when his family immigrated to Canada where his father eventually started a butcher shop in Barrhead Alberta. He lived there until he was seventeen, moving to Campbell River for a summer job with his friend Michael Nickerson. From here he made many connections working construction, at the mill, commercial fishing and logging. He attended the University of Alberta and the University of British Columbia obtaining a teaching degree in Physical Education.
In 1969 he married Judy Nickerson and he took her on a year long honeymoon travelling around the world. They then settled in Sayward where Judy taught school and Karl logged. The next year they moved to Campbell River where he started his long career as a teacher at Southgate and Carihi. He loved teaching and building relationships in and outside of school forming many lifetime friendships.
He will be remembered in many ways; his always positive attitude, welcoming acceptance of challenges, inspiring enthusiasm for life, being a man of deep faith, his love for his wife and family and the great joy he took in being with his grandchildren.
In his life he ran the race well, always pushing himself and striving to do what is best but not always easy. Karl ran many races but this time the finish line was not where we expected.
He was loved as a son, brother, husband, dad, papa, uncle, friend, mentor and teacher. He leaves behind his mother Agnes, wife Judy, sons Paul (Eden), Ehren (Monica) and Kurtis, brother Heinz (Marilyn), mother in law Kay Nickerson, grandchildren Grace, Emily, Cache, Sofie and Frances, nephews and nieces and many extended family members and friends.
A memorial service will be held at the Campbell River Baptist Church on Saturday March 13th at 11 am.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Young Life of Canada or Camp Homewood.