Karl W. Kleinert

Karl W Kleinert,  beloved father, grandfather and friend passed away peacefully on December 29, 2022.  Karl was born in Stockton, California on May 19, 1944 to the late Karl and Bette (nee Powell) Kleinert. He was raised primarily in Bay Village, Ohio, where he enjoyed spending time on the lake and learning to fish with his dad.  After ending a career running a manufacturer’s representatives' company started by his father, Karl worked in the glass industry, an industry he loved.  This work took him to many of his favorite places around the world.  He spent time in the Pacific Northwest, loving the drive along the Columbia River in Oregon, Corning, NY, Prague, Venice, Mexico, Venezuela and South Korea, just to name a few.  Many of these trips he took with his kids. He was always a student, with a love of travel, reading and everyone’s favorite phone-a-friend.  If you need a deli in some small town in New Jersey or a place to get a beer in Germany, Karl always knew a great place nearby.  Karl was famous for his passion for history, sports cars, reading, sport shooting, Native American art and culture and his unexplained disdain for Nicholas Cage (“I really hate that guy”).  Karl was happiest spending time with his children, telling tall tales and eating a good deli sandwich.  He never met a charcuterie board he didn’t like, enjoyed fine and boxed wine, and loved washing them down with a root beer and a Snickers. 

Cheers to you, Dad!  “Thanks be to God!... whoops!”

He is survived by his seven children, Karl (Megan) Kleinert Jr, Katie Anderson, Tina (Brent) Graves, Mary (Trent) Hunton, Clare (Shane) Brim, Nick (Alex) Kleinert and Matt Kleinert. 13 grandchildren; Ellie, Charlotte, Amelia and Lily Kleinert, Maddie Anderson, Green and Azure Graves, Caroline, Mary Malloy and Collin Hunton, and Isabella, Katie and Logan Brim. His brother Ken (Nancy) Kleinert and countless nieces and nephews.

The family will be planning a private memorial on January 21st at the David G. Martens & Son Funeral Home and scattering ashes this summer. We wanted to thank all the people who have cared for him throughout the past few years as he battled several health issues and for the support of family and friends.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to:

Native American Heritage Association

PO Box 512

Rapid City, SD 57709

naha-inc.org

The Corning Museum of Glass

Advancement Office

1 Museum Way

Corning, NY 14830

Cmog.org

Trust for Public Land

PO Box 889336

Los Angeles, CA 90088-9336

tpl.org

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