Martin Klein was born and raised near Chicago, IL, in the northern suburb of Glencoe. He was the oldest child, followed by his two sisters, Judie and Carol. He went to college at Cornell University, where he graduated in 1966 with a degree in Electrical Engineering.
After college, he took his first job in Pittsburgh, PA, where he met and married his wife Erin, and the family eventually moved to San Diego in 1971, fulfilling a childhood dream to move to southern California. The seeds of this dream had been planted during a childhood vacation to the area when he was 10 years old. It also helped that his parents, Joe and Barbara Klein had settled in southern California by this time, and also his sister Judie and her family were in the LA area. By then, the family included daughters Linda and Lara.
Once in the San Diego area, he remained extremely loyal to it, loving the ocean, the nearby desert scenery, and the vibrant spiritual community which he became involved in the later part of the ‘70s. He participated for many years in A Course in Miracles, which particularly resonated for him.
He later divorced, but remained close to his daughters, sisters, and extended family, and developed a close knit community of loving friends. He was a computer programmer until he retired in 2009. He had many interests, and was involved in many activities. He was a head usher at Seaside Center for Spiritual Living. He also participated in devotional singing, sufi dancing, and was active in many other community and spiritual activities. He also wrote a monthly blog, https://earthmoonandstars.wordpress.com, and had an immense appreciation for the natural beauty of the night sky.
Marty loved life and loved people and helped his friends with whatever was needed; a bit of moral support, a kind word, a walk in the desert, a place to stay, a broken computer, a ride to singing or Sufi dancing, set up and food for an event, a joke or a saying to cheer people up, encouragement in times of doubt. He was always there for people when they needed him.
He said prayers every morning for those he loved, and there was a long list of those who were included. He made cards of his favorite sayings and gave them out. Some that stand are: "Be aware of God", and, "If you expect your life to be up and down, your mind will be much more peaceful", and, "Relax, nothing is under control" and "We're all just walking each other home."
We are forever grateful for the time we had walking this journey together, and will think of you whenever we look at the full moon or that perfectly clear starry night.