Maximillian L. "Max" Kleiner

KLEINER Maximillian "Max" L. Kleiner, the loving husband of Elizabeth Kleiner and a long term resident of Trumbull, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 1, 2005. He was born in Vienna, Austria where he also received his degree in mechanical engineering. Mr. Kleiner started his career at Ernst Heinkel Flugzeugwerke G.m.b.H. in Rostock, Germany. There he also met his future beloved wife. Later, he joined Hirth Motoren in Stuttgart, Germany where he was a member of the pioneering team headed by Dr. von Ohain, the inventor of the jet engine. After the war, he initially worked for Steyr-Daimler-Puch A.G. in Steyr, Austria as a design engineer and later for Dr. Ferdinand Porsche G.m.b.H. as senior development and design engineer. Then, in 1955 he was recruited by AVCO Lycoming in Stratford. This fulfilled his dreams to work again in the research, development, testing and manufacture of gas turbines. There he worked for 32 years until he retired in 1987 as head of the service department. Mr. Kleiner was an active member of a number of professional organizations including, The German Engineering Society and The Helicopter Society. He was also an active member of the Black Rock Congregational Church, where he took part in Young at Heart Senior Group. In his spare time, he was an avid photographer who won numerous awards in competitions at the New England Camera Club. These pictures illustrated his love for nature and spending time outdoors. However, by his family, he will be most remembered for putting family first, his honesty, integrity, and wonderful sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Mr. Kleiner leaves behind a loving wife, Elizabeth; a devoted daughter, Gabriele Blankenship of Tulsa, Okla.; and son and wife, Dr. Lothar and Donna Kleiner of Los Altos, Calif.; two grandsons and their wives, Jared and Melissa Blankenship and great-granddaughter, Sarah of Liberty Mo. and Derek and Michele Blankenship of Moore, Okla. Friends are invited to attend the Memorial Service at the Black Rock Congregational Church, 3685 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 8, 2005. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Black Rock Congregational Church Chapel Fund or to the Salvation Army. Interment will be private. There will be no calling hours. Arrangements by the Cyril F. Mullins Funeral Home. For more information please visit mullinsfh.com.