Henry W. Kluin III

(Asbury Park Press)

HENRY W. KLUIN III
AGE: 57 MIDDLETOWN
Hank Kluin, lifelong resident of Middletown, died Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009, at Monmouth Medical Center (St. Barnabas Hospice), after a long and courageous battle with diabetes, and its complications. Hank grew up in Monmouth County, and as a teen loved hanging out in the Red Bank music scene, and was even part of a local band. His love and passion for music stayed with him all his life, and his gifts and talents were primarily used in church settings (mostly Grace Christian Church in Tinton Falls over many years), where he volunteered his time. Having studied only briefly at Brookdale Community College, most of what Hank learned was not in a formal setting. During the teen years, he apprenticed alongside the Kluin & Sons custom home family business, eventually learning the skills to build his own house one day, and then continuing on to do beautiful carpentry and leather work for the rest of his life -until he lost his eyesight. Hank was an artist at heart. In earlier years, he studied at Beval's Saddlery in Peapack, under the tutorage of the late Jack Burke, a master saddler from Ireland. Later, Hank started a side hobby of making military leather equipment which he sold mostly to his friends. Hank loved most things military and did re-enacting for many years. Formerly, he was a member of the 79th New York Infantry, followed by the 1st New Jersey Light Artillery (Clark's Battery), and then the 5th U.S. Cavalry (mounted). Hank served in the Army Reserves, but his dream was always to fly planes for the military-if not for a problematic knee injury. He was a member of the NSSA (North South Skirmish Assoc.) for many years, as well as a member of The Honourable Cordwainer's Company of Virginia, and The Company of Military Historians. In the late 80's, Hank went to Randy Merrell's school in Vernal, Utah, where he learned the art of bootmaking, and had fully intended on focusing on that-until the opportunity came up for him to purchase a business. In 1987, Hank became owner and saddler of F. Burgess & Company, a mail-order business of historical military saddlery (originally owned by Frank Burgess in Meriden, Conn.). Hank loved making horse equipment and accoutrements, and it broke his heart to lay it aside. Many are still (graciously) telling stories of his excellent, detailed, fine leather work -shipped all over the world.
Hank is predeceased by his mother, Marie Joan Kluin, sadly, dying only very recently. Surviving are his wife, Janet; a son, Noah; his father, Henry Jr.; a sister, Wendy of Middletown and her daughter, Jessica (and husband Coleman) Motley of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Visiting will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, with funeral services at 7:30 p.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, 115 Tindall Road, Middletown. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks that donations be made to Noah Kluin, and mailed to Smith Barney, 1030 Broad St., 3rd floor, Shrewsbury, NJ 07702 to benefit Noah's college education. Condolences may be emailed to condolences@pflegerfuneralhome.com.