Barney Klein’s life was cut too damn short, but he sure got the most out of the years he had. Barney was born in Baltimore on October 5, 1962, to Bernard (Bernie) and Ann (Nancy) Klein, and died March 20, 2019. His family moved to Ann Arbor when Barney was nine and it was in their family home on Dalton Ave that Barney developed into the man we all cherish and love.
Barney was generous, loving, and funny every day of his life. Even on the hardest days, he found a way to comfort others and help them crack a smile. Barney graduated from Eastern Michigan University and liked to joke that college was the best decade of his life.
Barney collected friends wherever he went—from Dalton Ave, Rick’s American Café, Harvey’s Lake, The Ann Arbor News, Boy Scouts, Lakeside, Dewey Street, Keech Ave, Bayer and Schering-Plough, and Great Lakes Caring. And many more, too many to mention. Barney was proud to come from a big crazy family and cherished his long family friendships and the frequent family reunions.
It brought him great joy to be one of 34 first cousins and he was so happy that the next generation continues the tradition of staying connected. In 1990 Barney met the love of his life, Marnie Reid, and they married in 1994. This year is their 25th wedding anniversary.
The rhyming couple spent many days laughing and enjoying life, but it was the addition of their sons, Connor and Patrick, that truly enriched their lives. Barney loved being a dad. He made a vow to always say yes when the kids wanted to toss the football, play in the yard, or swim in the lake.
Barney couldn’t have loved or been more proud of his sons. He gave his love of life and the importance of collecting close friends to them, and his love and gifts will live on in them. Barney collected other sons, daughters, and cousins along the way to love and nurture.
It was one of his true gifts. If he collected you, you know who you are and he loves you. More than anything Barney loved people, but he had many hobbies–he was a photographer, history-buff, sentimental collector, rock wall builder, story-teller, tailgate host extraordinaire, beach walker, paddle boarder, beer drinker, founder of the Barney Hoot School for Stunt Men, whiskey sipper, Michigan football fan, and Steelers fan.
Barney is survived by his wife, Marnie Reid, his sons Connor and Patrick Reid Klein, his parents Nancy and Bernie Klein, his sisters Kathy and Mike (brother-in-law) Dorsey, Chris Gonzalez, Karen Klein, sisters and brothers-in-law Elizabeth Reid and Dewey Hill, Courtney Reid and Tico Vogt, Abigail Reid and Bruce Weatherby, Anne and Jeffrey Meehan, and Camilo Gonzalez, 17 nieces and nephews, and a whole host of family and friends all over the world. Barney, the world shines more brightly because of you. Sláinte.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Network (support. pancan.org, Team Beat the Drum for Barney, donate to Barney Klein or Marnie Reid), the Cancer Support Community of Ann Arbor, or any non-profit that is near and dear to you. A life like Barney’s needs to be celebrated and celebrated well.
Please join us on Saturday, March 30, for a celebration of his well-lived life. Gather at 4:15, remarks at 5:00, followed by a tailgate for Barney. A celebration will be at the Jack Roth Stadium Club, on the east side of the Michigan Football Stadium, 1201 S Main St, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109.
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