Keith Klein ~ 1941 - 2019

Keith Karl Klein, age 78, died peacefully at his home in South Lake Tahoe on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, surrounded by his wife and close friends, following a recent diagnosis of cancer.

Keith was born to Karl and Marjorie Klein on June 27, 1941, in Buffalo, New York. Keith spent the majority of his childhood in Ithaca, NY. His family moved to Austin, TX where he went to middle and high school. Keith earned a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of Texas in Austin. Thereafter, Keith enlisted in the Navy, joining the Construction Battalion (Seebees). He served a total of six years in the Navy, four years in the Reserves and two years on Active Duty in Okinawa, Japan (1965-66) and in Da Nang East, Vietnam (1966-67).

Upon completing his military service Keith moved to South Lake Tahoe in 1967 where he resided until his death. Initially, Keith worked for the City Planning Department as an architect, then established an independent architectural practice. He formed a partnership with Patrice Jensen called Jensen-Klein Architects for 14 years and then established Tahoe Architect Incorporated. Keith was licensed in CA, NV, and TX and completed over 1240 projects, largely in the Tahoe basin. He mentored other architects, did pro bono work for the Lake Tahoe Historical Society and was active in the local Tahoe Engineers, Architects, and Surveyors (TEAS) consortium.

Keith became seriously involved in local politics, serving on the City Council from 1986 - 1994, during which he was mayor in 1992. He was known to be solutions-oriented and he got things done. He was proud of the city’s redevelopment initiatives. Additionally, Keith was involved in the infant stages of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA).

Most recently, Keith was an active member of the South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue STAT Team. Much can be said about Keith’s public service, but more about his compassion for people. He offered shelter, sanctuary, and guidance to numerous people in housing transition, those suffering homelessness, or from domestic violence.

Keith was a devoted husband, doting father, playful uncle, and indulgent grandfather. Keith is survived by his wife Mary Ann (Sellers); daughter Lemoore Rangel, her husband Jesus and granddaughters Aalyiah and Alexandria, of North Fork, Calif; step-daughter Kate Seeley and grandson Jack Seeley of Cherry Valley, NY; step-daughter Laura Seeley and granddaughter Ava Lee of Hartwick, NY; niece Kitty Reed and husband John, of Evergreen, Colo. and their sons Austin and Dylan. Keith was predeceased by his sister, Karen K. Klein and parents Karl and Marjorie.

A memorial service will be held on September 5, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s in the Wilderness Episcopal Church in Glenbrook, Nevada with a reception on the premises afterward. Keith will be inurned in the Honor Court Columbarium at Happy Homestead Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Mason-Klein TEAS Scholarship fund which awards two high school seniors planning to study college-level architecture, engineering or surveying. Please write the checks to Mary Ann Klein, 1091 Johnson Blvd, South Lake Tahoe,CA. 96150 and earmark the memo “For Mason-Klein TEAS Scholarship”.