Alvin G. Klein

1944 - 2023

URBANA - Alvin G. Klein died peacefully at home on Oct. 8, 2023.

Al was born on March 9, 1944, in Flint, Mich., to Mentford G. Klein, a Fisher Body worker, and Agnes Kania Klein, a homemaker. He attended St. Michael Catholic School (grades 1-12) and enjoyed working in the library and singing in the choir.

 Al received a full scholarship to Saint Louis University (SLU) in St. Louis, Mo. At SLU, he was active in organizations, majored in both mathematics and classical language, and graduated summa cum laude. Believing that without the scholarship he might never have attended college, he regularly contributed to the SLU Scholarship Fund as a way to help others.

He received a Woodrow Wilson fellowship, took it to the University of Illinois, and earned a masters in mathematics. He continued at UIUC on an assistantship, taking math and computer classes until he realized that he could turn his love of mathematics and languages into a career in computing. He became assistant to the UIUC Dean of LAS. He wrote many useful programs, including the original IRIS program, organized the office computer network, and performed numerous computer-related duties. After retiring, he joined Metris, a credit card company. He enjoyed the work and the travel but it ended when things changed after 9/11.

The first day of a math class senior year, Al signaled Mary Davis to sit next to him. This led to marriage, and many years later they were overjoyed to have a son, George. Al became a Democratic precinct committee man to make a better world for his son. He used his programming and computer skills to help candidates, joined the committee to turn Champaign County blue, raised money, was elected county chair, met interesting candidates, was active with the State County Chairs Association, and after an extensive interviewing process, he appointed Scott Bennett to the Illinois Senate because of Scott's ability to bring people together to solve problems. Al even gave a candidate named Obama a tour of downtown Urbana!

Al loved books, TV, classical music, symphonies at Krannert Center, visiting relatives, and vacations. With tenting equipment, a copy of Road Food and AAA guides, the family often headed to national parks, eventually exploring over 40 states and all but one province of Canada.

Al is survived by his wife, Mary; son George; sister Karen Clark (Richard); in-laws Carol O'Grady, Mike Smith, Jim Davis, Martie Lorsbach; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; in-laws John O'Grady, Manny Negrete, and Jane Smith; and nephew Tom (TJ) Truttmann. Al will be remembered for his sense of humor, his analytic mind, his tireless work on many projects, his cooking, and his love of gadgets.

A Mass and Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 9, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Urbana.  

To those who requested contribution suggestions, Al's favorites include the Saint Louis University Scholarship Fund, Illinois Public Media, Urbana Free Library Foundation, CU Tenant Union, and Champaign County Democrats.