Michael H. Klapper

1937 - 2021

Klapper, Michael H.
1937 - 2021
Michael H. Klapper, died peacefully on February 9, 2021, at home. He was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1937, son of Regina and Fritz Hirschweh. The family immigrated to the United States in 1938 where Fritz died shortly after their arrival. His mother Regina then married William Klapper. Michael graduated from Horace Mann High School in New York, and Harvard University with a major in Chemistry where he was a member of the varsity fencing team. He then earned a PHD in Biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. While there he met and married Betty Friedman, a native of Cleveland, Ohio and fellow graduate student. Michael spent his career at The Ohio State University as professor in the Department of Chemistry. His specialty was the study of proteins. He was the co-author of numerous scientific papers and mentored many young scientists. He later became interested in science education and served as a Director of the National Center for Science Teaching and Learning. He was also the co-director of the Eisenhower Clearing House for science and math teaching materials at The Ohio State University. Michael was a great connoisseur of the arts, in particular the visual arts. In later years, along with Betty, he enjoyed collecting Judaica and established "Art at the Center" Judaica shop at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus. Michael will be remembered as an ethical individual, exhibiting great generosity to his family, friends, the Jewish community and many charitable causes. He is survived by his wife, Betty; sons, Jeremy (Nancy), Isaac (Lilian); granddaughter, Melanie; cousins, nieces, nephews and close family friends in the United States, Holland, Israel and Switzerland. Graveside service will be held at 2:30pm Thursday, February 11, 2021 at Green Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus, Congregation Beth Tikvah of Worthington, Ohio or a charity of your choice.