ALBERT ALFRED KLEIN Jr.

ALBERT ALFRED KLEIN, JR. Albert Alfred Klein, Jr., age 75, made his transition to what he referred to as "The Great Tule Ditch in the Sky" on September 17, 2012. Born to Albert Alfred and Anna Klein on April 22, 1937 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Al attended Etna High School in Pittsburgh. In 1954, right out of high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he was stationed at Stead Air Force Base in Reno, Nevada, he served in the Korean War as a Radio Operator. After being discharged as a Sergeant from the Air Force in 1958, Al, his wife Barbara, and newborn son Gary resided in Susanville, California. He commenced work for the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier, and one year later began his lifelong career with the California Department of Forestry. Al attended Lassen Junior College and received his A.S. Degree in Forestry. By 1962, Al and Barbara had two more sons, John and Steven. Soon after beginning his career, Al transferred to Butte County as an Engineer, where he raised his family in Oroville, instilling in them a love of the outdoors and a passion for hunting and fishing. In 1983, Al married his present wife, Elaine Antoinette Klein and extended his family to include her four teenage daughters, Sandy, Patty, Cathy and Cari. Al proudly retired as a Fire Captain from Jarbo Gap "Station 36" in 1989, serving the fire service and the public for 30 years. Al was well respected as a fireman, and the firefighters that worked with him often referred to him as "The Colonel". After four unfulfilled years in retirement, watching fire columns appear from the panoramic view at his home, Al went back to work at the Chico Air Attack Base as a Base Manager employed by Fire Trol, filling and prepping Air Tankers with retardant during California's wild-land fire seasons. In 2004, Al finally hung up his fire service helmet, but maintained his connection to the service through his attendance at the Butte Unit CDF Retirees' Monthly Luncheon, and with his son, Fire Captain Steven Klein. Al was like a kaleidoscope with a multitude of colors and layers to his life, which included his love for the outdoors through hunting and fishing, his passionate interest in the history of aircraft and foreign wars, his ability as a craftsman, and most importantly, his gift to enrich the lives of all those whom he touched through the individual connection he would purposely impress on them. Al will be deeply missed. He was a beloved son and brother, and a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. Al was also a lifelong devoted Pittsburg Steelers fan. In the Galaxy of Stars, some shine brighter than others. Al was one of the brightest, and his light will continue to shine on all those who knew him for years to come. Al is survived by his wife of 29 years, Elaine; his children, Gary Klein (Jana), John Klein and Steven Klein (Danielle); his step-daughters, Sandy Hickethier (Tom), Patty Lewis (Ken), Cathy Weitze (Bill) and Cari Erwin (Mike); as well as 15 grandchildren, Alex, Nick, David, Falon, Lakota, Kanyon, Justine, Jarred, Jack, Emily, Allison, Valarie, Wyatt, Cameron and Kait. Services for Al will be held on Saturday, September, 29, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 45 Acacia Avenue, Oroville. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Firefighters Burn Institute. Scheer Memorial Chapel will manage donations that may be sent in Al's memory at 2410 Foothill Blvd., Oroville, CA 94566.