May 30, 1948 – January 19, 2021
It is our sad task to announce the passing of Fred Arthur Klein. Fred was born May 30, 1948 at Melita, Manitoba to parents Bud and Aileen Klein. He was a joy for older sister Linda and in 1949, the family welcomed John. Because Bud was employed in the oil and gas industry, there were many moves to different job sites in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Fred had very fond memories of time spent in Estevan especially. The Kleins moved to Didsbury when Fred was 16 years old; he loved the security of being settled and he made many lasting friendships. He played community hockey, football and particularly enjoyed drama classes at school. In 1969, Fred married Charlene Gardin, and they were blessed with three children. Mark (deceased), Boyd and Tanya. As so often happens, the marriage failed and he became a single dad-a job he took seriously, believing it to be the most important responsibility of his life.
After high school graduation, Fred followed Bud into the oil and gas industry with his first job being at the terminal followed by a move to the Harmatten gas plant where he remained until 1991. It was during this time he completed his mechanic and millwright tickets. In 1991 Fred was chosen by Exxon to join a team building an offshore gas platform in Nigeria. For the next many years, he was fortunate to be chosen for different teams working in Houston, Texas; South Korea; Sakhalin Island, Russia and finally Corpus Christi, Texas. He always said he liked the South Korea stint the best, but the project in Corpus Christi was the most interesting and educational. Fred retired in 2015 after 47 years with Canadian Superior/Mobil/Exxon organization. In 1991, Fred married Kay Wood and they were fortunate enough to enjoy many travels-particularly to visit Boyd (Abbotsford, BC), Tanya (Victoria, BC), Linda (Tumbler Ridge, BC), John and Lynn (Vernon, BC).
Many community members will remember Fred either running or riding his bicycle-his goal in later years was to ride 1000 miles every summer on his bike.
Fred's interest in the military was fostered through his years as a cadet and his special interest was wartime aircraft. He always believed in and supported the Canadian Legion. Fred passed January 19, 2021 at Didsbury Hospital after battling lymphoma cancer for four long years.
He was the anchor of our lives and is missed beyond measure. Kay, Boyd, Tanya
