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George Klinger Obituary
George was born and raised in New York City. He earned his Ph.D in English literature from Columbia University. He was an English professor at the University of Evansville and served in various capacities with the University for 47 years. After retiring, he taught the popular Wednesday Mornings at UE class for adults. He wrote a book documenting the history of the University, We Face the Future Unafraid (published in 2003). With colleague and good friend Joyce Clough, he also wrote a basic grammar book.
George took particular pride in his collection of classical music recordings which included over 1,600 reel-to-reel tapes, plus hundreds of cassettes and CDs. He played his music from breakfast to bedtime. He was the program director of the UE radio station before it metamorphosed to rock and roll in the 1970s. He co-wrote the grant that became the initial funding for the first public classical radio station in Evansville, now WNIN-88.3 FM.
He kept an impressive collection of Pepsi, his favorite drink, which he was always happy to share with others. He thoroughly enjoyed attending concerts and eating out with his many friends. He always had an impressive array of restaurant coupons. Legend has it he never met a pizza he didn't like.
He was a longtime member of the Unitarian Universalist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Fran; daughters, Lisa Klinger of Thousand Oaks, Calif., and Andrea Brown and her husband, Max, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; his seven grandchildren, Ian, Quinn and Megan Brown; Erisa, Brett and Landon Settle; Alex Fowler and wife, Jen, and their son, Parker Reilly-Fowler; his sister, Delia Visscher, and her husband, Jans, of Vancouver, Canada; his niece, Erjean Bennett and her husband, Garry, of Vancouver, Canada; and family friend, Kim Mercer of Evansville.
The George Klinger Memorial Prize for Excellence in Writing has been established in his honor for University of Evansville seniors. Contributions to this fund can be made by contacting Dean Susan Calovini at the University of Evansville. Donations to the American Cancer Society and Hospice are equally welcome.
George requested that there be no visitation, funeral or memorial service. However, his family will host an "open-mic" Celebration of Life service from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20th at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Evansville.
Condolences may be made online at www.mem.com. Arrangements by Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue.
George faces the future unafraid.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for George Klinger
Sponsored by anonymous.
February 9, 2010
Fran: I got a call from a dear Evansville friend to tell me that George was gone. I really never thought this would happen. He was an important person in my life during the years I lived in Evansville and I missed you both often. I hope you are well.
Janet Meek (Indianapolis)
Linda Kelley
January 25, 2010
My sympathies to Ander, Lisa and particularly Fran, who always had kind words for me (as well as George). I first met George when I was a teenager and a friend of Ander. George introduced me to classical music. He made me laugh when he played his music as loud as any of we teens played our rock 'n roll. My love for classical music grew stronger all these years and still continues.
Please know my heart is heavy having lost a great friend. I wished I had George as a professor when I attended and graduated from UE in the late '80's-'90's.
My own mother went to Heaven in March of 2008 and I feel your loss.
Love to all, Ander, sister of my heart.
Warren Longmire
January 23, 2010
Fran -- Growing up a few blocks away from you and George, I have so many fond memories of pizza dinners, coupon-funded steakhouse visits, massive quantities of Pepsi, and fantastic music coming from your house. You were both always gentle, compassionate and comforting adults to us kids. You willingly bought the junk we were forced to sell for school clubs... these myriad small kindnesses were very much appreciated. Thank you both for the ways you have touched so many people's lives.
John Watson
January 23, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Fran Sisson
January 22, 2010
To Fran and family,
I'm saddened to find out about George's death, but happy to read how true to himself he always was, right up to the end. I'm sure that life with him was as delightful as the other messages say and now I wish you the very best to you as you go on with your lives.
Darrell Woehler
January 21, 2010
Very sorry to hear of the death of George. I was a student of his at University of Evansville (College) back in the old days...met him again some ten years ago through Marie and Juan Del Valle. It was great to discuss our past experiences. Our prayers are with George and the family.
Darrell & Monsie Woehler
Susan Watson
January 21, 2010
Dear Fran, Lisa, Ander and George's other dear ones, it is truly a profound loss for the community and the many, many friends George enjoyed over the years. He was such a dear friend and mentor to me over the last 35 years. I will miss his evening calls (when it was cheaper) and our lunches at the Sirloin Stockade. Boy, that little man could eat! I will never drink a Pepsi "with no ice" without fondly remembering my dearest of friends, George. I am so glad I was able to see George the week before he died. His usually pragmatic approach to life was also evident in his attitude about death. As you must know, I am deeply saddened by his passing. Had I been there for his open-mic memorial I would say very simply, I loved him dearly and will celebrate his life and memory in a way he would approve. Thank you for sharing him with all of us - his groupies.
Linda, Jack & Jonathan Angus
January 20, 2010
Fran, Lisa, Ander and all George's grandchildren, How proud you all must be to have called this amazing man your Husband, your Father, your Grandfather! Our lives have been blessed to have had him in them for as long as we have, and we will remember this lovely person with his endearing individuality, his amusing eccentricities, his passionate love for his music and his unabashed love and respect for his family and his friends...we're going to have a Pepsi and watch a movie (for which I'm using a Blockbuster coupon!), and smile and remember...Love you, Fran...
Jackie Crowley
January 20, 2010
My association with George Klinger goes back to the earliest days of WNIN FM88 when he hosted a program in the old McCutchanville School building. Through all of the following years he always remembered me and we would talk about those long ago days. The world, especially the world of music and literature, is a far better place because of George Klinger. He will be missed.
January 20, 2010
Dear Fran:
George will always be with me in my heart and my memories. Love you, Mary in Bloomington
Mary Helen Weldy
January 20, 2010
Dear Fran and Extended Family,
George was one in a million and we feel so lucky to have known him. He always said that he had an incredible life and that he married the right woman! He really did. George brought a zest for life to everything and everyone he touched. He was a living example of what a UU should be and a delightful gentleman. He will be in my, Dennis', and Logan's hearts forever!
Sara Sclarenco
January 20, 2010
Dear Fran, Lisa and Andrea, I received a call from my son Tom after he had read on line of George's death. Fran, you and George played a very important role in my life in Evansville. George was a treasure to so many people, Evansille will not be the same to me in my mind without George. I feel very fortunate to have had George as my friend for these many years. His wonderful traits of gentleness, calmness, sense of ease with every situation will live in my mind forever. My
greatest sympathy goes out to you, Fran. It all happened so quickly. I think it was because he accepted death. Hospice would say he died a good death. He died the way he had lived. He was simply a wonderful man. My heart goes out to all of you. Sara Sclarenco
Beth Seaton
January 20, 2010
Dear Andrea and family, Just wanted to send my deepest sympathy to you after reading aboutyour father's passing away. He touched many lives it seems. I know he'll be forever in your hearts. I miss you guys and hearing about your kids antics. I hope you're doing ok. Take care and God bless.
Mike Carson
January 20, 2010
Dear Fran and Lisa and Ander,
Can't imagine not having George around. Some people become institutions within the institution, but only rarely. George was certainly that and more. I am sorry that Maggie and I are not in town and will miss the open mic. I have a strong feeling that it will be an event worthy of George's vitality and sense of humor--and that he will be very well aware of the love that will flow for him and for you. I still listen to some great medieval lps he gave me after he had made tapes of them, music I would never have known of had he not introduced me to it. Being less than a novice at music listening I just put the record on the first time, was swept up in it, for it was a haunting performance of a kind of chant in falsetto male voices. My thought was that whoever wrote that music (early medieval Hungarian monk) had been to the otherworld and back for it did seem to be from beyond the pale. Later I saw George and we discussed the songs; he asked me what I thought of the main one (the most otherwordly) and I told him what it seemed to be, someone from beyond death. He smiled his wry smile and said affirming my experience "it was the office for Easter morning," first song after the dark. Strange and good what we remember. I guess the thing to say now is to thank you all for sharing George with us, being your own good selves, and that I hope you feel all the love that sweeps along with you in this moment. God bless, Mike and Maggie Carson
Philip Ahrens
January 20, 2010
January 20, 2010
I only knew Dr. Klinger through my son Greg. I wish I had known him years ago. He was the kind of man we should all aspire to become.
Cindy Graham
January 19, 2010
He was Slim to me. I didn't know he was Dr. Klinger until two weeks ago. He was always proud of his two lovely daughters and his beautiful wife.
Ted and Amy Ubelhor
January 19, 2010
We are so very sad to lose George, as we know you are, Fran. He was the kindest, sweetest next door neighbor and we feel blessed that he was in our lives and in our neighborhood for so long. His obituary in this morning's paper was priceless. I will miss sitting in the backyard and hearing his lovely music waft over the fence and our conversations when he delivered the association newsletter to our door. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers, Fran, as is George. He will be missed by the Ubelhors.
Rick Fowler
January 19, 2010
I am glad I had a chance to know George. I will miss him Rick Fowler
(Dr.) Paul Schlueter
January 19, 2010
George was one of UE's most dedicated professors, a brilliant musicologist, and one of my dearest friends, particularly when my first marriage ended while I was teaching at UE (1968-72). He will be sorely missed. My wife and I offer our deepest sympathy to Fran and the family.
January 19, 2010
Lisa and Ander, I spent many hours in high school at your house on Lincoln Park Drive irritating your wonderful parents. Your Dad was the first to introduce me to opera, and I ended up majoring in voice. He was one of my alltime favorite people.My deepest sympathy to you and your mother.
Anne Erickson Wells
Jenni White
January 19, 2010
Blessed be, sweet George. Fran, my love goes out to you and your entire family--chosen as well. HUGS from Indianapolis.
Susan Donahue
January 19, 2010
Fran--I'm so sorry to hear about George. He was always so kind and friendly to me. I always enjoyed chatting with the two of you at functions throughout the city when I worked at the Evansville Museum. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Karen, Nancy, and Stephanie
January 19, 2010
We "girls at the doctor's office" will miss George's smile and wit. Our condolences to Fran and the family.
Martie Williams Cashion
January 19, 2010
Andrea:
I have fond memories of being at your home on Powell when we were children and hearing Dr. Klinger's classical music playing. What a special person he was; a dad who would go on Brownie outings and always had a kind word for everyone. I know he will truly be missed.
January 19, 2010
Dear Klinger Family,
It was with great sadness that I read about Dr. George this morning. I treasure the memories of his Wednesday Morning Classes at UE. Please accept my sympathy.
Sincerely,
Noble G. Ellison
Rod Spaw
January 19, 2010
I have been a professional journalist for 35 years, and every day, I use what George Klinger taught me at the University of Evansville. He was a teacher of great skill and patience. My thoughts are with his family today as they celebrate his life.
Linda Deutsch
January 19, 2010
I am so sorry to hear of Dr. Klinger's death. I enjoyed working with him at UE and even typed the grammar book he and Joyce wrote (at least twice)! I am blessed to have known him. My sincere condolences to Fran and the family.
January 19, 2010
My wife and I first met George while we were students at Evansville College in the early 60"s. We are members of his Wednesday Morning class. George will continue teaching somehow! Our sincere condolences!
Larry and Bonnie Tindle
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