Obituary of Armin Klein

Armin Klein, Jr. Died at his home on Tuesday, November 15, 2011. He had been cared for lovingly by his wife Grace, neighbors, friends and current and former clients who became friends and by home health aides, Steve Nichols and hospice professionals, Lisa Sieg, Karl Sarkozy and Jean Bennett, a volunteer massage therapist. Peter Costello and Sarah Rajotte were his companions with Grace through the ending of his life. He had been a psychotherapist for over sixty years and continued to work with clients throughout his illness. He was born on May 1, 1928 in Newton, MA to Armin Klein, Sr. and Anna Rogovin Klein who, with his sister Brenda White, and his niece Celeste Ann Klein preceded him in death. He graduated from Princeton University in 1948 and received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University in 1956. He studied with Nicholas Hobbs and with Carl R. Rogers, noted psychologist and originator of the Person-Centered Approach to psychotherapy. Rogers became his life-long mentor and friend. He came to Rochester, NY in 1957 and joined the faculty of the University of Rochester in Psychology and Psychiatry. He became Chief Psychologist for the new Convalescent Hospital for Children where he remained for seventeen years. He established a private practice in psychotherapy which he maintained in his residence at 15 Arnold Park. His professional life was sustained by his associations in the American Academy of Psychotherapists where he was a lifetime member, the Association for the Development of the Person-Centered Approach, the International Forum for the Person-Centered Approach and by his colleagues and friends, Gerald Bauman, Nathaniel Raskin, Howard Mele, Sheldon Zitner, from his days at Hampton Institute, Lewis Ward-Baker, Virginia Whitmire and many others. He was a poet and, encouraged by Jean Clark of England, published a collection of his work, Songs of Living which he generously shared with clients and friends. He was known for his warmth and generous spirit in navigating life’s challenges and his openness and involvement with his clients. He is survived by his wife, Grace Harlow Klein, whom he met in Mexico at the First International Forum for the Person-Centered Approach, his children and stepchildren, Shakati Singh Khalsa (Upkar Kaur), Meg Klein-Trull (Tim Trull), John Klein (Patti), Lisa Chickadonz (Christine Tanner), Cindy Chickadonz Hunter (Keith) and Thomas Connelly, Jr., his brother, Robert Klein, Muriel Bank Klein, nine grandchildren who were dear to him, his niece and nephews, and many close friends here and internationally. He loved classical music and was a supporter of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and the Society for Chamber Music in Rochester. His life was enriched by his friendship with Vivian and Don Weilerstein and their daughter, Alisa, all classical musicians. Alisa was his goddaughter. They played a memorable concert for him at his 80th birthday celebration in Kilburn Hall in 2008. He was also fascinated by early American history, automobiles, tennis, sailing, wine, dark chocolate and coffee, long before they were in vogue. His children remember many trips together to New Hampshire where he loved to hike on Mt Washington. A memorial open house will be held on DECEMBER 10, 2011 at 15 Arnold Park from 2-5 PM. Friends are welcome to call and share memories of Armin as hundreds of people have done there over the years of his psychotherapy practice. Click here for directions. Home Rochester, New York Birthplace Newton, MA Donations Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Development Office 108 East Avenue Rochester, New York 14604 Link to the RPO