George Charlton Klingman

Janice
With my deepest sympathy in the loss of George
He was a kind man as well as yourself
Deborah (your old letter carrier in Ellington)

The George I knew
As I deal with the death of a close friend of over 40 years and a person I admired tremendously I decided to put my thoughts on paper (or my iPad). I first met George in 1980 when I transferred to the Travelers Home Office.George and I both worked in Personal Lines but the similarities ended there, he was one of the big guys who called the shots and I was not.
Initially my interactions George were infrequent, a few times a month in meetings when we reviewed the plans for pricing one of the products (Auto or Homeowners) in a state in my region. One thing I noticed is George always paid close attention and asked good questions. If he agreed with your answer, he would give a "George nod", if he didn´t he would not openly disagree but would stop by your desk later and discuss the question/ answer until we both were on the same page. It was an approach practiced by very few of the people I worked with in my 50-year career. It was respectful and enabled us to learn from each other.
Overtime as my responsibilities chnegd, I got to work with George more often. I continued to admire his business acumen but more importantly got to know him on a personal level. We both played basketball, so UConn basketball was a regular topic as was a comparison of our diminishing skills.
While work was important to George the most important part of his life was his family and his faith. JJ, his daughters, and their families were sources of immense joy and comfort. I was always impressed by his interest and involvement in the education of his grandchildren. He was there for them with his interest and support.
George enjoyed his retirement years; traveling with JJ, spending time in Port St Lucie and when in CT his family was his priority. Priscilla and I always enjoyed our times with George and JJ at Mets spring training games and dinners. Glenn Lammey and I had many lunches with George at Chili´s in Glastonbury. There is comfort when I look back at all the wonderful times, I had over the 40 years George and I were friends.

Mr Klingman touched so many lives in the very best way. I'm grateful I got the chance to know him as both a employee under his Personal Lines Division at the Travelers. He was one of the BEST VP officer at The Travelers that made you feel part of the team and your work was a important contribution to the Travelers goals under his leadership no matter what your position's responsibilities and assigned project assignments were.

He will be truly missed..

With my deepest sympathy.

My immediate memory of George is that he was the official barber in the men´s dorm at Juniata and that he earned an income in this way. The other memory is his description of Janice, as his "Tallahassee Lassie".

His contagious laugh around the fire in St. Lucie

As a career long Travelers person, I always had a high respect for George. He was one of the good guys with a lot of integrity. Little did I know that his wife played handbells and was a member of our community bell group in Vernon, CT . That is when I got to know him as a person. Great guy. Condolences to Janice and the kids.

I ATTENDED JUNIATA COLLEGE WITH GEORGE FOR FOUR YEARS. HE WAS A VERY BRIGHT AND GOOD GUY. OUR SENIOR YEAR GEORGE WAS THE PRESIDENT OF THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT AND I WAS THE VP.

I WILL MISS GERORGE GREATLY HE WAS ALWAYS AVAILABLE FOR ME .

REST IN PEACE GOOD AND FAITHFUL FRIEND.

BOB HUEGLIN

Many memories of the Klingmans at Church. amazing dedicated hard workers, it seemed he was always there to do everything and anything for all that needed him, and the countless hours working quietly behind the scenes that too often go unappreciated. An honor to know them, wishing both Geroge and JJ peace as they travel thru eternity together, and strength and courage to their family at this difficult time.

I worked a few levels below George for a year at Travelers, enjoying the personal lines crew in the Tower immensely. I remember him as a wise leader and a go-to advisor of the top management. It was good to know him.

George and I were first cousins. He was a great guy ! We shared a visit to New York City together in our early teen years and giggled our way through the maze of the city with sightseeing adventures galore. Growing up in the rural town of Mifflinburg, PA gave us a start to our future. He was a kind, generous person and a relative never to be forgotten. Bless his soul in Jesus's care!