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Born on a small farm in Grafton, New York, Klaus earned bachelor's and master's degrees in sciences and math from SUNY Albany. He enlisted in the Air Corps in 1941 and was sent as a cadet to MIT to study meteorology, which became a lifelong passion.
He served with the 9th Air Force in Britain, France, Luxemburg and Germany and was honorably discharged at the end of Word War II as a lieutenant. He stayed in the Army National Guard for three years.
Klaus worked in scientific research for several companies, including Behr Manning and W. & L.E. Gurley, a division of Teledyne. He designed and produced optical equipment for Xerox, as well as telescope optics.
He was an active member of Messiah Lutheran Church, the Oakland Senior Citizens Club, the American Chemical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
"An avid reader, gardener, woodworker and traveler, his intellectual curiosity led him to be well-versed in a world of subjects," information from the funeral home noted. When he retired in 1980, he and his wife moved to Oakland to be near family.
Klaus is survived by his daughter Joan and her husband Arnold Ludke; grandchildren Peter, Amy, and Andrew and his wife Meredith; and several nieces. He was preceded by his wife of 67 years, Johanna (Reinecke).
Visitation will be from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Friday, March 3, at the Oakland Memorial Home, 330 Ramapo Valley Rd., in Oakland. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Messiah Lutheran Church, 228 Ramapo Valley Rd., in Oakland. Interment will be in Redeemer Cemetery, in Mahwah.
Memorial donations can be made to the Oakland First Aid Squad or Messiah Lutheran Church.
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