Milton Kleeb

1919 - 2015

Milton Kleeb, 96, of Bellingham, WA passed away at home with his family on October 2, 2015. He was born in South Bend, WA to John and Henrietta Kleeb on September 20, 1919 and lived most of his life in the Pacific Northwest. Music was always Milt's ruling passion. Initially self-taught in music theory, he developed his knowledge and skill at Lewis & Clark College and as a musician/arranger in the US Army during WW II. He eventually achieved a level of expertise and recognition that allowed him to write for one of the most progressive bands of the Big Band Era, that of Boyd Raeburn. Referred to by some as an "underground celebrity," Milt continued to arrange and play baritone sax well into his nineties. He remains a highly regarded arranger, composer and performer in the extended jazz community. Milt was also an avid and dedicated fly fisherman. He designed and built his own tackle boxes, tied his own flies, and meticulously maintained his rods and reels. A favorite pastime for many years was an annual journey to fish remote mountain lakes of British Columbia with his friends and family. Milt met Judy Bevan, his jazz singer wife of 70 years, while serving in the US Army at Fort Knox, KY. He is survived by Judy and their daughters Leslie Kleeb and Karin Mueller, all of Bellingham. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Gavin Collins of Portland, OR and Ashley Mueller of Bellingham. He was preceded in death by his daughter Candace Kleeb. A jazz concert celebration of Milt's life and his music, featuring many of his friends and colleagues through the decades, will be held at The Majestic on North Forest in Bellingham on October 12th at 7:30pm.