Russel Eugene Klein passed away Dec. 7, 2010, in Salem. He was 84.

Russel was born Jan. 6, 1926, in Eustis, Neb., to Louis and Nona (Hayworth) Klein. He worked the family farm in his youth while attending a one-room country school for the first eight years of his education. He graduated from high school in Curtis, Neb., in 1943.

While in high school, he met Dorothy Wollam and they married in 1944 in Atwood, Kan. They remained married for 65 years until Dorothy’s death in December 2009. Russel and Dorothy were lifelong members of the Episcopal church. Their faith sustained and comforted them as their health began to fail. Russel was a member of Rotary International and the Associating of School Administrators. In retirement, Russel and Dorothy became snowbirds, enjoying their winter home in Fountain Hills, Ariz.

Russel completed a normal training program in high school and was issued an elementary school teaching certificate that allowed him to teach in rural schools in Nebraska. Russel used his GI Bill benefits to attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1952. His first teaching job was in Rising City, Neb. The job included driving a school bus. His next teaching job was in York, Neb., where he also completed his master’s degree in his spare time at the University of Nebraska in 1957.

In 1957 the Klein family moved to Chino, Calif. Russel taught for five years at Pomona (Calif.) High School. In 1962 the family moved to Forest Grove where Russel became the director of curriculum and instruction for the Forest Grove School District.

In 1967 Russel attended the University of Oregon where he completed his doctorate. Russel then moved to Medford for a 13-year stay with the Medford School District which included becoming the district superintendent. He then spent one year as the interim superintendent of the La Grande School District. Russel completed his professional career as the superintendent of the Clackamas County Educational Service District until his retirement in 1984.

Russel and Dorothy moved from Wilsonville to spend their retirement years near family in Lebanon. In September 2010, Russel moved to Lancaster Village Assisted Living in Salem.

Russel was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944. He served in the 1st Cavalry Division in the Pacific theater and was assigned to occupation duty in Japan immediately following World War II.

Russel was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dorothy; sister, Ruth; and infant son, David. He is survived by his son, retired Maj. Gen. Dennis Klein (Maureen) of Salem; daughter, Susan Koch (Joel) of The Dalles; son, Scott Klein (John) of West New York, N.J.; grandchildren, Jeff, Lori, Katie, Amber, and Heather; and great-grandchildren, Madison, Boyd, Kayla, and Chloe. Russel is also survived by his brothers, Ross and Raymond Klein, both of North Platte, Neb.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, in St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Lebanon. A private interment service with military honors will be held Jan. 7, in St. Francis Episcopal Memorial Gardens, Wilsonville.

The Oregonian p. 21 Friday, December 17, 2010