Harold G. Klein

Harold G. Klein, 96, of Plattsburgh, New York, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, passed away peacefully with family beside him on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital Medical Center. He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on March 14th, 1929, the cherished son of George Klein and Olga (Wunsch) Klein.

Harold grew up in Jersey City, not far from the Statue of Liberty, one of four siblings in a loving family. From an early age, he was drawn to the natural world. He enjoyed spending summers at Boy Scout camp and went on to earn his Eagle Scout rank.

Harold enlisted in the United States Marines in the fall of 1945, serving from age 16 to 19, attaining the rank of corporal, and eventually receiving an honorable discharge. With the assistance of the G.I. Bill, Harold attended Cornell University (Class of 1953), continuing his studies at Cornell all the way through to his PhD in Biology.

He pursued an academic career and was a professor of biology at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh for more than 30 years, teaching biology and zoology and focusing his research on animal behavior.

Harold married Carole Marie D’Amour of Long Island, New York, on June 12, 1965. Together, they lovingly raised two daughters, Elizabeth (1966) and Susan (1968).

Harold was endlessly curious about the natural world, and in addition to exploring nature through his teaching and research, he enjoyed many outdoor hobbies. He loved the Champlain Valley and spent many decades enjoying Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains. Having learned to sail on Cayuga Lake while a student at Cornell, he pursued this interest all of his life, sailing on Lake Champlain for over five decades and enjoying the sailing community at the historic Valcour boathouse. He was an avid birdwatcher, participating in the local chapter of the Audubon Society and contributing as a citizen scientist to numerous annual bird counts. He also enjoyed camping, hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, canoeing, fishing, gardening, and rescuing injured wildlife, and shared many of these pursuits with his children and grandchildren.

Harold also had a deep interest in history, particularly American history. He enjoyed learning about the local history of upstate New York and its role in the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. His interest in history also took him on adventures further afield, and he visited countless historic sites during his many travels with wife Carole throughout the United States and beyond. He was a voracious reader, consuming not only dense history books but also numerous environmental and scientific periodicals as well as the many historical brochures he collected in his travels.

Harold was a hard worker who did many outdoor chores and tackled many do-it-yourself projects. Together with wife Carole, he renovated an 1850s Greek Revival farmhouse. When his daughters took an interest in horses, Harold went all in, salvaging and rebuilding a collapsed 19th century barn on the property and enclosing several acres of pasture, digging his own fence post holes, felling small trees on the property, and shaping them into fence posts and rails.

Harold was dedicated to many causes - particularly the environment, education, the needs of his local community, animal welfare, historic preservation, public television and radio - and supported numerous organizations by volunteering his time and financial support. He served his local community for many years, including serving on town boards and volunteering at Point au Roche State Park and Plattsburgh Interfaith Food Shelf.

Harold loved spending time with his extended family of siblings and their families, who gathered for many years at his parents’ home in New Jersey, enjoying outings to the Jersey Shore, lively volleyball games, and sharing meals around his parents’ large dining table. In recent years, he enjoyed gathering with his siblings and their families for many memorable family reunions.

Harold is survived by his loving family, who miss him dearly: his wife of 60 years, Carole (D’Amour) Klein; his daughter, Elizabeth (Klein) Frumkin and her husband, Peter J. Frumkin; his daughter, Susan C. Klein, and her husband, Matthew Nadler; his grandchildren, Charles J. Frumkin, Nicholas J. Frumkin and Jonathan K. Nadler; his sisters, Doris (Klein) Fatzler and Carol (Klein) Pompliano; his sister-in-law, Jinx Klein, and a loving extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families.

He was predeceased by beloved family members: his parents, his brother, Raymond Klein, and his brothers-in-law, George Fatzler and Leo Pompliano.

A celebration of Harold’s life will be held on Sunday, November 23, at 11 am at Valcour Inn, 3714 Route 9, Peru, NY. www.valcourinn.com.

Memorial donations may be made in Harold’s name to The Foundation of Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (www.cvph.org/Foundation).

Arrangements are entrusted to Brown Funeral Home. Online condolences may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeny.com.