Ed Klum

Ed Klum was a beloved, multi-talented, extraordinary man. He passed away at 97 on November 25. His life deserves a whole book. Here are a few highlights.

He was born on August 7, 1927 (when the New York Yankees were having their fabled year). His town was Benton Harbor, Michigan. He had one brother. The family was very musical, involved in jazz, classical music, and so forth.

Ed had an uncle who played in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Once, Ed was attending a rehearsal and Maestro Artur Rodzinski asked him to come up and conduct. Ed was about seven at the time.

Young Ed Klum was musical, scholarly, and athletic. He always would be. At Benton Harbor High, he excelled in at least three sports. One of his classmates and teammates, Jack Forestieri, was legendary. Jack went on to play professional basketball. He and Ed made a formidable high-school pair.

Important as Jack Forestieri was, he was not Ed's most important classmate. That was Janet Maxham, whom he would soon marry.

Ed went to the University of Michigan and played on the basketball team. One year, Michigan and Holy Cross met in the national tournament. "I held Bob Cousy scoreless," Ed used to say, with a smile. Cousy is one of the greatest players of all time. Did Ed really hold him scoreless? Yes.

The Michigan player guarding Cousy fouled out with 27 seconds to go. Ed went in and was assigned to cover Cousy. In the remaining 27 seconds, Cousy did not score.

A little later in life, Ed served as an assistant coach to the U of M's head coach, Bill Perigo-who had been Ed's coach in high school.

Ed would make his career in high schools. He taught and coached in two Michigan towns-Decatur and Fremont-before returning to Ann Arbor, to work at Ann Arbor High and then Huron High. He was a history teacher, basketball coach, athletic director, and more. He was a real all-around man.

And a natural teacher. Whether in the classroom, explaining and reliving history, or on the golf range, he was a natural, superb teacher. This was a calling of his: to teach. In his mind, teaching and coaching-whatever your subject or sport-were practically inseparable.

He and Janet had three children: Jeff, Phil, and Margot. (Their beloved daughter Margot passed away in 1992.) They have three grandchildren.

They traveled near and far. They had very good friends in Germany. For a special occasion, Ed memorized a toast, in German. Ed and Janet had a keen interest in Native American cultures.

Also in colonial history. Year after year, they would go to Williamsburg, Virginia, for a little history, and, for Ed, a little golf.

Ed was an assistant coach of the University of Michigan golf team for many years. He and the head coach, Jim Carras, were good friends.

Ed Klum loved freedom, democracy, and civil rights. He valued and understood the American founding. He was open to any and all people. Music was always a big part of his life-music of all types, as long as it was good. He loved Mel Tormé. And George Shearing. And many others.

He played and composed music himself. He also wrote short stories. He was a creative, ever-inquisitive personality.

Janet passed away in 2008. Eventually, Ed moved to Chelsea, where he was beloved of the staff at Uptown Coney Island-"the Coney," he called it. The staff, and most other people, called him "Coach."

He was one in a million, or 10 million: humane, warm, interesting, bright, amusing. One can hardly imagine a better companion or friend. He has countless friends, who will think of him forever.

*Please Do Not Send Flowers. If compelled, please donate to someone in need.