Walter Klein Obituary

Walter Klein was a larger than life addition to the Chicago music scene in the 80's. Straight up and ready to play.

WALT, A GENIUS HAVING THE BRILLIANCE TO HOLD A KEY BEING THE CLEF OF THE ARTISTS BASS PALETTE ORCHESTRATION OF TOO NOTE BEING THE "C". A ONE OF A KIND;= OF I HAVING THE SET TO BE OF TOO "BABY NEEDS A NEW PAIR OF SHOES".

Shirley and Tom, I found out about my cousin Wally yesterday. My mom and dad were his aunt and uncle. Maria Klein Stutzriem (late 1993) and Albert Stutzriem (passed Aug 11 2010).
Our family moved away when I was a baby, but when I was an adult I went to Chicago and Wally and Tom showed me the Vic theater and took me around town where I met Shirley and her family. I had such a great time with you guys! Another time I visited your folks Walter Sr. and Shirley. I was in need for good Chicago deli and they fixed me up!
Wally was such a great guy. I wish our families had been closer. God bless you all and please keep in touch.
Love

Dear Bianca, Little Walt and Sharon,
I am so sorry for your loss of such a wonderful man. Walter was the best - the best of anything and everything any man could be. It has been quite some time now, but Walt's absence in my life still leaves a tremendous hole in my heart. He was my dearest and truest friend and I miss him, but can take comfort in the fact that he is happy in heaven with many old friends and would want us all to celebrate his "larger than life" life. We all miss ya Walt!

My deepest sympathies are extended to Walt's family. He was, indeed, larger than life and a huge influence on us all. His Joie de Vive still brings a smile to my face all these years later and my heart is heavy today with the news of his passing.
Hey Walt..Get in the Car! And tell Bobby we said Hey!

Our heartfelt sympathys for your loss of Walter, he was the kindest person, he loved life and people. Every project he was involved in turned to gold, he gave so many musical artists a place , in Chicago to preform and a chance. He helped so many people that needed it,he always had a sympathic ear and wisdom in the building trades.
He was a super human being and a good friend, we will miss him dearly, with that magnificant smile.
God rest his soul, it was a blessing for everyone that knew him.

My deepest sympathies for your loss. Walt was one of the nicest people I knew in the Chicago scene, and I will always remember him warmly.

Wolf

With deepest sympathy, we are sorry for your loss. We are sure he will always be remembered with a smile.

So sorry about Walter. We had great times in Chicago and Tucson. I hope he ends up in a good place. SQUID

Bianca, Walter III, Sharon...

The heartfelt sorrow of your loss cannot be truly expressed. Walter was a true original and the finest employer, brother, and human I will ever have the pleasure to spend time with.
Farewell to the Merry Prankster! I will miss him dearly and daily.

Walter was always such a bright light, he had a hugh impact on so many people. He will be missed.

My condolences to the Klein family. I,ve only known Wally when I was a young teenager I was actualy was a childhood friend of his brother Tommy.I do remember that he would always help you out or spend a moment to listen to you. Thanks & God Bless

Walt's outgoing nature and friendliness, along with his sense of humor made him fun to be around. His smile was infectious. He will be missed by many and thought of often. Glad to have met him way back when.

Dear Aunt Shirley and Uncle Walter,

I just heard the news and my heart is heavy. Although, as a kid, I remember all the times you and my folks (Joan and Jim Ryan) had at your place and ours; always so much fun! As I entered my 20's and lived on the North Side, I remember how good your son Walter (and Tom) was to me, my siblings and friends, when we would spend a night at the Vic. I still have some great photos from one night in particular, that I'll always cherish. I miss you and love you both.

Julie Ryan
Chicago, Il

Wallter & Bianca -- My heart is with you and your family during this time....I take great comfort in knowing that Wally is with my dear brother Jimmy -- what a wonderful gaurdian angel duo we all have now. I can't wait to see them both again when I leave this earthly place one day. For now I will live on the memories. Peace to you guys and please call on me if you need anything!

Walt was the best boss I ever had and the Vic was a family to me. My heart goes out to everyone in his family and all his friends that will miss him so very much. Cher Woodman

Sharon, Shirley Ann, Tommy, Walter & Bianca, Sorry I took so long to post. I think it was just that I didn't want to believe it. Wally always kidded that I used to beat him up when I baby sat you guys (the truth, of course, being that I could never catch him). I was looking forward to seeing him when he and Sharon came in this Jan. and am so sorry he was to sick to stay more than a few hours. He and my late husband both had bypass surgery at Northwestern and used to run into each other after Dr's appointments. When that happened they would immediately go somewhere for a big bacon, egg and hashbrown breakfast. Ironically cancer claimed them both with the utmost speed; a matter of months in both cases. Such a cheat. Not even enough tim to think straight. My love to all of you. Cousin Kay

So many wonderful memories of good times playing and hanging at those clubs. Walt's energy made those scenes happen, and nurtured so many earnest attempts to make the "big time". What a treasure he was to this city and what an impact his achievments had on so many people - many whom he never even met! My best wishes to all his friends and family.

To the immediate family of Walter,
I'm so sorry to read of Walter's passing. I sold the Vic, Tuts, and the West End advertising in the 80's for WXRT and I can tell you that Walter was an outstanding person to do business with and a rare "straight up guy"...always true to his words. I'm honored to have known him.

So sorry for your loss. Walter was a great guy and a huge influence on the music scene I grew up with in Chicago. He was so friendly and supportive. Prayers and love to his family and friends.

Walter was loved by my wife, my brothers, my mom and everybody who had the privilege of spending time with him.

Some of the greatest times of my life were spent at the West End and The Vic... Walt was a part of them all... Rest In Peace buddie...

Dear Sharon, Shirley-Anne, Bianca, Little Walter and all of the family, I would like to express my deepest sympathies for your loss. I remember many good times as kids growing up, all of the family events. I'm sorry we hadn't been in touch in the later years. Wally seems to have meant a lot to a lot of different people in a wide diversity of life styles. He did a lot in a very short time. Rest in peace cousin, go in love. Lorraine Nigg

My deapest condolences are with Bianca, Little Walt, Shirley, Tommy and Sharon and the entire extended family. Wally was my dearest loving friend for about 53 years. We shared a son together and share the loss of our son Jimmy. I am sure they are now walking together at God's side and probably testing the order up there. Wally and I go back since Barnard Grade School and Morgan Park High School and all the years that followed.
He was a true trusting friend that gave me alot of joy and very fun times. I have so many memories to live with. I know many of our friends will remember all the trouble/fun we caused, all the pratical jokes. How about the time we all were told in 8th grade that we were not going to have a graduation cermony. We got the entire class to throw all our books out the window. Poor Mrs. Keller. Abe Lincoln never was without tons of spit balls. As crazy as we were while growing up we never lost the most important aspect of life - Our Family & Friends and a strong desire for success! That success was always shared!
I will miss you my dearest friend as the world will also. We will meet up again.XOXOX

To the Klein Family,
I knew Walt for at least the past 10 years as his architect. He was a fine honest, man, who I grew to enjoy as a friend as well as a client. I looked forward to working with him because of his integrity and humor. He spoke of his children with such love and passion, I felt as if I knew them. Your father was one of the greatest. He will be sorely misse by many, and my very deepest condolences go out to you all. May he rest in the peace of the Lord.

My deepest condolences to Walter's family and Tom. Some of the best years of my life were spent at the West End and Vic Theatre and all the friends I made and experiences I had. I owe them all to Walter.
The impact he made by saving the Vic and the anchor it became for the revitalization of that neighborhood. The incubator known as the West End that nourished so many up and coming acts, and gave careers to future club managers and booking agents and managers of major acts.
And later, the wonderful contribution he made for the Smile Train foundation.
Just a few of things he accomplished in his short life, that will live on for a very long time to come.

Dear Family and Friends,
On behalf of Smile Train, we would like to extend our sincere condolences. We are truly honored that Smile Train was chosen to be the recipient of memorial gifts being made in Walter's honor. We deeply appreciate your support and we promise to put these special memorial donations to good use. Walter has already created a legacy with his generosity and dedication to supporting our cause.
Gifts given in Walter's memory will provide free cleft surgery for children, giving them new smiles, new hope and a second chance at life.
Thank you for helping to change the world, one smile at a time.
Adina Wexelberg-Clouser
Donor Relations Associate
[email protected]

My deepest sympathy to the Klein family.He was the greatest boss and friend that I ever had the pleasure to know. He will be sorely missed, but all my memories will always make me smile. He treated me like I was his brother and I will always feel like i was.

My deepest sympathy to Wally's family.
I was shocked to hear of Wally's passing. I grew up with Wally in Beverly and we had great times together as kids, harassing the teachers at Barnard School,and being best friends.I was certain he would live forever as he always lived in the moment, and made others around him happy. I am really very saddened by his death.
Robbie

Klein Family,
I am so sorry to hear about Walt. My heart goes out to you in this time of sadness.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Valerie Lambert @~}~~

Dear Sharon, As you know, Walter and I met face to face last October for the first time. We felt we had known each other for many years though. I know you will miss him. With love, N'Evie

I'm sorry to hear about Wally. Im in shock.
My simpathy to his family.

To Walter's family,
So sorry to hear of Walt's death. What a shock! Walt and I shared many wild and crazy times during high school and in Viet Nam together. I think we got in more trouble together than any one else I know. But.. we had a lot of great times and I am proud to have had him as a friend.
Jimmy Smith

He was a good man and I had a lot of good times with him. My condolence is to his family.

Wally Klein- Gone way too soon.
My condolences to the Klein family.

Dear Tom,Sharon,and Walter III and the entire Klein family,

My deepest sympathy to you all.
We all have lost a great friend.
Walt was a wonderful and generous friend.I met him many years ago at LPAC and from the first time I met him he was my friend.I was always glad to see him. He made me feel better whenever I ran into him. I will miss his smile and kind words. He had a great sense of humor. He was a loving friend.
He helped me with alot on my inner turmoil years ago and helped me stay on the right path.

Walt is already missed.

Dennis Minaglia

To The Family of Walter Klein, my condolences are with you. I went to Morgan Park High School with Walt and have wonderful memories of him from those days. We were just working on a reunion in July. My prayers are with you at this time, he was a great guy, so sorry to hear about his passing. Sincerely, Joyce Gannon Newsome-Robbins Class of 69 Morgan Park I now live in Lansing, Illinois

Bianca, Tom and family, my sincere condolences to your family for the loss of a great man who positively influenced many.

Bianca, Walt, Sharon, and Tom,
On behalf of Julie, Kevin and my brother John, I want to express my sincere condolences. Walt was one of the most generous and nicest people I have known. His big smile would light up a room and he always made everyone around him feel great. We will miss him very much. God Bless-Paul Battles

Walt's Family,
My thoughts are with all of you during this time of Walt's transition to his "greater yet to be".
I will always remeber Walt in the most fondest and funny ways. He always had a good joke for me when I saw him. He will alway be rememered by me as the original "Bad Boy" in the most beautiful and wonderful ways.
Walt's true essense is "Love,Health Vitality & sense of humor". That is how I will always remember him.
Peace

Sharon, Bianca, Walter and family,
We're sorry we didn't get a chance to meet you last Christmas (08) while we were all in Indiana...nasty ice storm...I have a lifetime of memories to hold onto, which will never be forgotten. We would like to extend our heartfelt condolences and invite you, if ever in Montana, to stop by.
Take care of yourselves....
Jack & Annie McCormick

Dear Sharon,
Our deepest sympathies to you and all of your family, our thoughts & prayers are with you, may God Bless Walt, so sorry to hear this news,
Love BB & Cindy Morse
(Spicewood Texas)

my heartfelt condolences to walt's family. my days @ the vic were some of the finest moments of my life. from hair, clubland, catwalk, the rock shows & the final roll-what a scene!! big bob, ed chuman & walt are now planning the best shows in heaven. jeff fender

Bianca, Walt, Sharon - I can't find the words to aptly describe how much Walt means to me and how deeply I adored him... but every time he popped in my head during these 10yrs in LA, I got a smile in my heart. This earth lost a big piece of sunshine when he left. I hope you can always feel his brightness wherever you go...

Walt,

My friend I have no words that can describe our friendship. You were one in a million. We may know a lot of people but I can count you on one hand.
My condolences too your family.

Siman

Sharon, I am so sorry for your loss. I only wish I had known Walt longer. It's not often that we are blessed to have good people come into our lives. I will always remember Walt because he made a difference. He will be missed.

Walt was one of the most genuinely real people I ever had the pleasure to meet.

Everyone's Life was made better by Walt's Life achievements, to everyone who loved him, my condolences.

Dear Sharon,Bianca, Little Walt and family,
Our whole family is deeply saddened by Walt's passing. He was like a son to my parents, and a brother to us. I have now lost another brother. I will miss him. I know that Amanda will miss him so much. I know that he is at peace in Heaven with Jody. And that there must be one HELL of a party going on there now with the two of them together once again. The thought of them together again makes me smile and cry at the same time. God bless you all. Please keep in touch with us. Love always.
Jacquelyn Chirillo (Noa)
And the Noa family.

Walt,Bianca,Sharon,
I want to express my deepest and heart felt condolences. Walt will always be remembered.

To Walt's family,
I am honored to have been a part of Walt's last weeks of life. I am impressed by the amount of love he was surrounded by, and by the patience and kindness of all his family members.
My deepest sympathy. -Melissa Milne

I am so very sad.... :-(

Walt was always a bright spot in anyone's day, and no matter how bad thing may be going, he could always evoke a smile with his wry humor! We always looked forward to seeing him each time he and Sharon were in Spicewood. Spicewood has lost another special gem, and he will be sorely missed!! To Sharon and all other family members, our heartfelt condolences are with you. I know that he will remain forever in your hearts.

Sharon and Family,
Walt's love for his family and friends was always apparent.
He enjoyed organizing events that created memories for all.
His warmth and unique presence will be greatly missed. I will also miss his smile.
Boni Weinstein

My deepest sympathy to Walt's family. I had a lot of great memories of Walt from the Vic and the West End. The first time I met Walt was at the West End, he picked me up swung me around and trashed the peanut machine.
He will be sorely missed.
Pam

my deepest sympathy to the klein family. mark c. page

Sharon,Walt@Bianca, I loved Walter and will miss him greatly! Steve&Susan

My condolences to Walt's family, loved ones and friends, The memories I have of him from the Vic haven't been forgotten.

Sharon, Bianca, Walter and Jasper,
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. I have known Walt since high school and I will miss him too. He was a wonderful person and never braged about his generousity . He would always call me of one of the original neighborhood girls. This neighborhood girl will miss his smile and laughter when he came by He will always be in my heart.