Klaus Jurgen Forster was born February 22, 1938. in East Germany to Paul and Katarine Forster.
Not long after Klaus' birth, World War 2 was in full swing and Klaus' father, Paul, a German soldier was sent with his fellow troops into Stalingrad in Russia. Unfortunately, Paul was killed and Klaus, his younger brother, and his mother, were left with starting lives without their husband and father. Shortly afterward, Klaus' younger brother became ill and also passed away.
As the Russians pushed futher and further into Germany, Katarine and Klaus, and some other family members, knew they needed to get to Western Germany ahead of the Russians. Conditions were not condusive for travel, but they walked, crossed creeks, crept along in the dark to avoid Russian soldiers, and finally arrived in West Germany.
Klaus and his mother lived in Flensburg, in Northern Germany with Katarine's mother. Klaus' childhood consisted of having to live on rations and a fear of potential bombing from German enemies. Ever the imp and sweet-tooth, Klaus remembered poking holes in the small bag of sugar rations and licking sugar off his fingers.
Several years after the war ended, Klaus' mother re-married, and Klaus gained a half-sister not long after. The family continued to live in Flensburg where Klaus completed his schooling and worked as a grocer's assistant, learning the grocery business as well as accounting.
Klaus always loved nature, and being outdoors. As a young man, Klaus frequently hiked, camped and skied with friends.
Klaus and his family were introduced to the SDA church and Klaus decided to study at an SDA high school in Germany. His time at Darmstadt's Marienhohe, taught him more about God, and he felt his calling was not in running a grocery store, but instead in teaching and preaching. It was a decision which mapped the rest of his life.
Klaus desired to improve not only his education in theology and teaching, but to better his grasp of the English language. He attended Newbold College in Berkshire England in the early 1960s. His time there was so memorable, that 30 years later, he encouraged his oldest daughter, Erika, to attend Newbold College, where she stayed for 5 years.
Klaus came to the United States in 1965 with about $10 in his pocket and a hunger for continuing his education while working his way through school. Klaus studied at Union College in Nebraska.
While doing some student preaching in Iowa, Klaus met the Philips family, local church family who had a lovely daughter, Madelaine .
Klaus Forster and Madelaine Philips were married a year later, in a lovely ceremony in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on July 16, 1967.
Klaus finished his Bachelor degree and was offered a job teaching at a Seventh-Day-Adventist school in Days Creek, Oregon. For their honeymoon, Klaus and Madelaine packed up their car and drove from Iowa to Oregon. It was the first of many adventures they would have throughout their 50+ years of marriage. Not long afterward, Klaus became an American citizen. He was proud of the hard work he put in to make that dream a reality. He had to take English exams and learn US history and government before he could become a citizen. He always felt proud of having earned his citizenship.
During his nearly 40 years of teaching at Milo Academy, Klaus was loved by 3 generations of students. He taught World History, Bible, German Language, Art, and sometimes PE, and once US History (he wasn't a fan). Klaus also served as sponsor to multiple study body associations, and graduating classes. His students remember him for his kindness, his quirky sense of humor and his love of God.
Klaus' sense of adventure never rested much. The problem with being a teacher, and having a crazy sense of adventure, meant he managed to get lost in the woods with a group of students, and was often talked into fitness challenges, rafting adventures, and games. He loved soccer and could always be counted on to be part of an intramural soccer team.
As Klaus and Madelaine expanded their family, Klaus was a dedicated and involved father. He and Madelaine raised their children in a Christian household and their children attended the SDA schools where Klaus taught. Madelaine had worked some for the school as well in the cafeteria, and as a janitor, however, as the girls grew, Madelaine went back to school and became a nurse. She served at the school for several years as school nurse before taking jobs in local hospitals.
Klaus loved being a father, and he instilled a sense of adventure in his girls. He took the family to Europe, travelled with them around the USA and Canada, and told them of his love for God.
Klaus taught his girls to swim, braving them clinging to him as he taught them in the often frigid waters of the South Umpqua River. He knew the importance of being a strong swimmer, and was determined his girls would be safe around water. With swimming, came inner tubing, white water rafting, and any other water adventures the girls could get to. White water rafting trips became a family summer activity. He graciously paid for his girls to take lifeguard training, swim instructor training, and attend sailing, waterski, and windsurfing summer camps.
Klaus, having grown up in Germany at a time when life was about merely surviving, had never had pets. As his family grew, so did the menagerie. He graciously tolerated dogs, cats and horses, though he drew the line at birds, snakes and lizzards....though some managed to creep despite his objections.
Klaus loved being a father, but he was thrilled and excited to become a grandfather (Opa). Opa Forster came into being in November of 1999, with the birth of his first grandchild, Andrew, son of Klaus' youngest daughter Ingrid. 14 months later, Bradley joined his brother Andrew and KIaus was thrilled to have 2 boys added to the family. Klaus and Madelaine's oldest daughter Erika, blessed the family with the birth of her daughter, Alana, in 2005 and Klaus was thrilled with his little granddaughter as well. Klaus retired in 2007 from teaching, and was happy to get to know his grandchildren.
Klaus' grandchildren inherited his sense of action and adventure. Andrew and Bradley both played football, basketball, ran track, and kept active through high school and beyond. Klaus' granddaughter is a competitive swimmer, and loves water sports.
In 2007/2008, Klaus began to show early signs of Alzheimer's Disease. While the disease crept slowly at first, it gained a foothold and soon Madelaine took early retirement from Nursing to take care of Klaus. The disease took Klaus on October 4, 2018. He passed with his wife and daughters by his side.
Klaus will forever be remembered as "that German Guy". He never quite lost his accent, despite living in the USA fver 50 years. His reputation in the Milo community was that of a kind-hearted man who was a good Christian, and who was always ready to lend a hand to those who needed it. He was known as a good family man, a good neighbor and a loving father and husband. His sense of humor, adventure and his Christian spirit lives on in those whose lives he touched. He will always be remembered as a talented painter and potter and for his incredible baritone singing voice.
Klaus was a favorite teacher to thousands of students at Milo Academy. He was a loving husband to Madelaine, and father to Erika and Ingrid. His grandkids are fortunate to have had time with him and our memories of Klaus, Daddy, Opa, Mr. Forster continue forever.
