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Ira Klein Obituary
IRA KLEIN (Age 91)
Ira Klein passed away quietly on June 9, 2023, leaving behind three daughters, Melissa, Hilary, and Alison, and four grandchildren. Ira grew up in Brooklyn and earned his BS, MA, and PhD in history from Columbia University. Funded by a Fulbright, he spent four years in England and India conducting research, and his scholarship on imperialism in Asia has been published in several academic journals. He taught in the History Department at American University for over forty years and was an active member of the campus community, helping to develop the university honors program and a community service learning program. No funeral service.
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Memories and Condolences
for Ira Klein
6 Entries
Vanessa Smith
August 3, 2025
Dr. Klein as I said last year was and is wherever he is a truly knowledgeable teacher of World history. He was my favorite teacher his lectures were very in depth and helped me understand and utilize what I learned from them for my work. I wish him best wishes from my thoughts and prayers with warmest wishes Thank you again for all the good work you do.
Oliver Stelter
July 11, 2025
It is only today that I have learned of Ira´s death and it has brought back great memories of talking and discussing with him at AU back in 1979/80 when I attended AU as a foreign student from Germany. Beside his great knowledge of history, I remember his humor and love for tennis. Aside from our student / teacher discussions we spent many hours on the tennis court where Ira and I enjoyed "vicious" rallys. I have always looked back with great joy at the good times I had a AU and with him.
My deeply felt condolences to his family and friends !
Brenna Kehew Sculley
April 6, 2024
I had Dr. Klein for a few courses including 20th Century World History. His humor and kindness shined through his lectures and I enjoyed learning from him back in 2006.
Vanessa smith
March 18, 2024
I was a student of Dr. Klein he was a very knowledgeable and good teacher he was also a great lecturer and listener he did a lot for the department of history in the college of arts and sciences and will always be remembered with much esteem for his life´s work I thank him for all his teachings which really helped me and may he rest in peace in heaven!
Bill Carpenter
March 10, 2024
I took two semesters of a European history course with Dr. Ira Klein circa 1991 and he was one of my favorite professors. He was lively and passionate in his presentations. Other than a couple of office visits about the courses, I never knew him outside of the classroom. However, I can tell he was a honorable man and was truly a gift to the American University community for decades.
Joseph P. Foy
October 5, 2023
Dr. Ira Klein was my 20th Century World History professor at American University during 1981-82. He was one of the best professors I have ever had, a true scholar, teacher, and gentleman. My sincerest condolences to his family.
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