Edwin Francis Klaport
September 7, 1929 - May 6, 2021
Obituary
On Thursday, May 6, 2021, Edwin Klaport, the loving husband of Caroline and father to Michael, passed away at age 91. Ed was born in Detroit on September 7, 1929 to Polish immigrants Mieczysław and Helena Klaport. Growing up in a Polish family, in a Polish neighborhood, he carried a lifelong passion for the food, culture and music of Poland. This passion eventually led to him performing at the Seattle FolkLife Festival several times in the 1980s as part of a Polish choral folk ensemble. His family and friends have many pleasant memories of him singing these Polish folk songs on his Wurlitzer organ in his living room.
In 1951, he was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict, and served as a radio operator while on assignment in Korea. Returning from his deployment overseas, he worked in the Detroit area as a brick layer until the 1960s.
In 1963, with the money he had saved, he decided to explore Europe. Visiting Italy, he was able to see Padre Pio at San Giovanni Rotondo, which left a lasting impression upon him. He also was very interested in Our Lady of Lourdes. So while visiting France, he ended up staying in Lourdes for some extra time to volunteer as a stretcher bearer and carry people who needed healing to bathe in the miraculous spring waters.
In the early 1960s, after his brother Richard had attended the World’s Fair and moved to Seattle, Ed left Detroit to explore the new opportunities available in the west.
Ed graduated from Seattle University with a degree in psychology then changed course and started a career as a surveyor, helping to plan the paths of new roads being built in the Pacific Northwest.
On an eventful evening in 1971, Ed met Caroline Mueller at an event at the Chancellor Club, a Catholic singles club in Seattle. He was immediately struck by everything about her and later said that all he could think at that moment was that she was “bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.” They were married August 10, 1973. They have one son, Michael.
In 1980 he took his family on a shoestring budget to retrace his steps in Europe. He also added another destination, behind the Iron Curtain, traveling to the house in Poland where his father was born and cousins still lived. His cousins were so overjoyed to see the family that they slaughtered a pig and made kielbasa for the occasion.
Ed was ever an independent spirit who loved to make things and do things with his own two hands. He was an avid organic gardener, cook, beekeeper, and home improver.
His strong faith and devotion to the Catholic Church made him adept at defending it. He also developed an interest in the Dominican Laity, becoming a life professed member of the Third Dominican Order.
He will ever be remembered and missed by his family, colleges and friends.
In lieu of flowers the family request that a Mass be said in Edwin’s memory.
Ed will be sorely missed. He was a pillar of the Church and an example to all of us at Blessed Sacrament parish and elsewhere. “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Caroline, our hearts and prayers are with you.
Dear Aunt Caroline and Michael,
Craig and I were so sorry to hear of Uncle Ed’s passing. We will always remember him for his intelligence, compassion, gift of gab and for his kindness to everyone. He was definitely a very special person. We were lucky to have him in the family.
Hugs and love,
Craig and Peg