Julie Thompson Klein, PhD

George I met you and Julie back in the 1970´s. She was my professor and I was so impressed with the two of you and your relationship to each other. The two of you and especially Julie gave me the inspiration to continue my education. Worked all over the World for the Richmond Fellowship to establish treatment and homes for mentally challenged adults and children in 3rd World countries due to Julie´s drive in helping an inner city kid from Detroit to find value in education and helping others.
Sincerely,
Cef Suarez

I have never met Julie Thompson Klein in person, but her written work inspires me very much. I am sad to find, she has passed.

Although petite in stature, Julie was a towering figure in research and education in interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity. Julie also nurtured colleagues at all levels of seniority around the world. Where possible, she supported our endeavours, contributing written pieces and talks, and tirelessly making connections. Julie eschewed tributes, but I am pleased that she allowed a special issue of Issues in Interdisciplinary Studies titled: The Work of Julie Thompson Klein: Engaging, Extending, and Reflecting, as this provided an opportunity for partial acknowledgement of her contributions.

Dear family and friends of Julie
I got to know Julie at the inetrnational conferences of the Transdisciplinarity Network (Swiss Academies) I organized back in 2008-2011.
She was a small and soft-spoken person but - wow - what a big heart, great mind, and strong voice in the scientific community, generous, supportive, sweet, witty, curious.
My heartfelt condolences,
Manuela

Dr. Klein is deeply admired by her national and international colleagues in the team science community. Her legacy will continue through her scholarly contributions and passion for her work.

I was a student learning about transdisciplinarity when I first met Dr. Klein. I met her a few years later as a staff member at another institution, and she remembered me. She remembered my work and my interests and I remember feeling that this was more than just the person who I cite. She was kind and I will never forget how she made me feel seen at that moment. I am appreciative of the little bit of time I spent learning from her. I am sorry for her family's loss. I am sorry for the students who won't have that moment with her. I am grateful we have her many works to reference as she was a titan.

I admired Julie from the bleachers after first encountering her, her work (and her avatar :) at the Science of Team Science conference in 2016. This past year I had the true privilege of working with Julie directly in a small team of four of us, meeting regularly to inquire into the questions of what competencies are necessary for good team-work for scientists. Our four-some became a very special haven for both intellectual exploration and personal connection. We truly treasured each other's styles of thinking, expertise, but most of all, warm hearts. I am bereft to learn of Julie's passing. She commented only weeks ago that a colleague had miscategorized her as being 'older' - she was so young of mind and heart that I believe she lived her life 'young' for all of her years. And I also want to add that we could see you, George, offering her tea and being her wonderful companion (she commented on this lovely aspect of your lives) during our zoom meetings - the pit crew, helping her keep her engine running at top performance. I will miss her ready humor, warm heart, and deep thinking tremendously.

Julie was a true pioneer who shaped and nurtured so many. Peaceful rest Julie.

Dear George,
I am Connie Gefvert who shared a three-person office at Wayne State in the early 70s with Julie and Dick Raspa when we were all newly-minted Assistant Professors at Wayne. Dick phoned to tell me the sad news. I am so sorry to hear about her illness and passing - and about your daughter as well, which I only heard today from Dick. I learned so much from Julie - she was a stellar teacher even at the beginning of her career. She would have a line of students waiting to see her whenever I went to the office - she has contributed so much to students' lives. My deepest sympathy to you and to her brother Mark. God bless you, Connie Gefvert

Julie was one of my favorite professors. Anyone who was in her class had to be touched by her love of teaching. Her joy was pure. I was lucky enough to have her in more than one class and also to spend time with her outside of the classroom. A born teacher. My prayers are with her family and friends. RIP Julie.

Offering our deepest sympathies during this time.