Karl Guy Klinges

1930 - 2018

Karl Guy Klinges

Bonita Springs, FL - Karl Guy Klinges, 88, died at peace after complications from surgery in Bonita Springs, Florida on October 16, 2018. Born on October 4, 1930 in New Milford, NJ, to David and Edith Klinges, Karl attended Franklin & Marshall College and graduated as Valedictorian, receiving the Williamson Medal in 1952 as the outstanding student. He served as President of his fraternity, Chi Phi and he captained the soccer team which won the National Championship the following year.

Karl attended F&M on scholarship, and his commitment to his alma mater was a lifelong passion. His parents, upon their death, established the Klinges Family Scholarship Fund at F&M which continues to be supported by their children. The fund provides five t0 six scholarships annually to deserving applicants. The focus of this Fund is to encourage ongoing giving and to instill in its recipients a habit of repeat donation to their alma mater.

A biology major, Karl earned his M.D. from Thomas Jefferson University and trained in Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center in NYC. Following Medical School training, he entered the United States Air Force and was stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma until 1965.

In 1954 he married Maureen Dougherty and is the proud father of eight adoring children and 21 grandchildren. Maureen predeceased him in 1968.

Karl practiced medicine in New York City and then moved his practice to New Jersey in 1969. He served as an attending at both Englewood Hospital and Holy Name Hospital and in 1979 was named Chief of OB/GYN at Englewood, a position he served for eleven years. He was appointed as a New Jersey representative of The American College of OB/GYN (ACOG) which helps to develop Standards of Care for OB/Gyn patients. This role additionally required his input in other states to inspect and review procedures enabling OB/GYN certification at other hospitals. Karl enjoyed very close relationships among his many employees, patients and colleagues which continued to present day.

An accomplished golfer, Karl enjoyed the camaraderie and fellowship of the sport. In 1997 he retired and moved to Florida after marrying his wife Devora. He then spent 5 years as a volunteer with The Catholic Medical Mission Board and traveled frequently to South America with a local team of gynecologists providing surgical cures for many indigent patients.

Loving father, son, brother, grandfather, husband, he is survived by his wife as well as an abundant and loving family including six daughters Mollie Van Horne (Jack), Jane Kraus (Matt), Maureen Clarke, Susan Swanezy (Scott), Amy Harden (Paul), Sara Andersen (Chris), and two sons, Cooper (Nancy) and Kristopher Klinges, and twenty-one grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother David H. Klinges and sister, Edye Bromley. He was the center of the universe for his family and was loved for his stories, humor and humility.

Celebrations of the life of Karl Klinges will be held at our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Tenafly, NJ at 10am on December 20th, 2018 and at St. Leo's Church in Bonita Springs, FL at 10 am on January 7, 2019.

Dr. Klinges requested no donations or flowers, thank you.