Harry Norman Klitzner

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Kurt Klitzner

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Harry Norman Klitzner

September 26, 1932 - July 29, 2020

Welcome to Harry Klitzner’s Memorial, Hello family and friends, thank you so much for visiting Harry's memorial. We hope the pictures and memories make you smile and recall the joy and love our father shared so easily. Select the Memories and Condolences section to see what people have written, and the... see more

OBITUARY

Harry Norman Klitzner, 87, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 with his beloved wife Ann by his side. He was born on September 26, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Isadore “Charles” and Margaret Klitzner. Harry grew up an only child in Chicago. His father was a vaudeville comic who performed under the stage name “Charlie Country.” His mother, Margaret, was a stage dancer and performed in vaudeville reviews. One of... see more

Harry grew up an only child in Chicago. His father was a vaudeville comic who performed under the stage name “Charlie Country.” His mother, Margaret, was a stage dancer and performed in vaudeville reviews. One of his earliest memories was being on stage as part of his father’s act, and he certainly inherited his father's sense of humor. He enjoyed a good joke and always looked for the funny aspect of any situation. In his youth he loved playing hockey and was a lifelong Chicago sports fan. Harry also developed a love of music, specifically jazz. He and his friends would go to the hangouts in Chicago to listen to the local sounds.

In 1954, Harry was introduced to the love of his life, Ann Gibson. While they were dating Harry found out that he was going to be transferred to Santa Barbara. He knew this was the time to propose. Lucky for him, she said “Yes”! He moved out west, but drove back shortly thereafter to marry Ann in 1956. They drove to California for their honeymoon and made the west coast their home.

Harry earned his degree in electrical engineering and went on to serve in the army reserves from 1957 to 1959 as an electronics specialist. During his career with Raytheon, and then Ford Aerospace, he was a program manager and spent most of his time in the Newport Beach facility working on advanced military projects. After retiring, Harry did some consulting work but mostly enjoyed doting on his cherished grandchildren, playing golf, and sharing a meal and glass of wine with family and friends.

Harry will be missed by his wife of 63 years Ann; son Erik Klitzner (Kathy), of Santa Ana, CA, grandson Kyle of San Francisco, CA, granddaughter Kelly of Irvine, CA; son Kurt Klitzner (Janet) and grandsons Brennan, Keaton, Kade and Drew of San Diego, CA; son Todd Klitzner (Elise) and grandsons Jude, Rhys and Graham of Costa Mesa, CA, and many other cherished extended family. He was a devout Christian and a member of Newport Harbor and King of Glory Lutheran Churches.

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Laura Turknette:

August 21, 2020

Ken and Laura Turknette

Klitzner Family:
Dads are the greatest! Yours was one of the best.
We met Harry and Ann when Kathy and Erik married. He had a wonderful view of life. Laugh and enjoy was his mantra of living. His love and devotion to his... more
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Suzanne Marie:

August 19, 2020

How do you even begin to share memories when they go back as far...well as far back as you can remember? Thanks to three great men (Harry, John and Joe) three families became family, and time with them gave us a magical childhood. Walking into the... more
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Stephanie Cormier:

August 15, 2020

When I think of Harry (well, I really only remember calling him 'Mr. Klitzner';) I think of laughter. And, I think of the adoring way he always seemed to be looking at Ann. He would tease and smile, and always seemed to be jolly - at least that's how I... more
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Jay Ruby:

August 15, 2020

Baltra Place is a magical street, and I was lucky enough to live there growing up. It has been 36 years since I moved away, but it seems like I was just there yesterday. It is truly amazing when your neighbors become your long-life friends and family,... more
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Mark Murtaugh:

August 14, 2020

Harry, always dapper, the quintessential gentleman, the perfect family man (Fred Murray of My Three Sons), raising the perfect family (debatable) in Cleaver suburbia. That was my perspective of Harry. He always had, and shared his wry, funny... more
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Kyle:

August 12, 2020

Grandpa,

It's easy to see how much you cherished us, your family, over everything. Kelly and I were lucky to experience so many years of that.

The week-long visits dubbed "Camp Grandma" (sorry Grandpa) were the highlight of our summers back... more
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Jeanne Steinebrunner:

August 10, 2020

Dear Klitzner Family, I am a member of King of Glory Lutheran Church. I didn't know Harry very well as he and Ann went to the early service and I came to the late service with my husband and children. The few times I did interact with Harry, I was... more
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John Ruby:

August 10, 2020

We will so miss Harry, the Klitzner family patriarch. We have loved our near lifetime friendship with Harry and the Klitzner family. I heard of Harry before I got to meet and know him. After joining Raytheon-Santa Barbara in 1958, I often heard fellow... more
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Harriet Harrington:

August 10, 2020

Dear Erik, Todd and Kurt,

We were so sad to hear about your Dad. As you may remember your Mom and Dad played in a bridge group with us from 1978 until 2010. We have many good memories of fun times with them. Here are all of the pictures we have of... more
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Eric Ruby:

August 10, 2020

So many fantastic memories of Harry and the Klitzner family have come flooding back these past few days. Baltra Place was a very special place when we grew up there, and we were beyond fortunate to have been a part of it. It was like one big family and... more
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Donald Wilhelm:

August 9, 2020

I started working with Harry in the late 70's. I second the thought that he was a "class act" who always dressed well and carried himself with unmatched professionalism. A true gentleman who led by example while showing appreciaton for all... more
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Augie Miller:

August 9, 2020

Harry (or Mr Klitzner, as I knew him as a child) was the first sports super-fan I ever met. I was maybe five-years-old, and to this day remember the first time I stepped foot within that hallowed temple to the Los Angeles Lakers (Baltra branch) - the... more
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Gwyn Ciecalone:

August 8, 2020

Uncle Harry a "Class Act". I never got tired of Aunt Ann's stories of how Uncle Harry wined and dined her when they first met in Chicago...the days of cocktails, candlelit dinners and slow dancing. I'm sure he continued wining and dining Ann... more
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Kelly Klitzner:

August 7, 2020
Kelly Klitzner:

August 7, 2020

Grandpa Harry from my perspective

It’s a Monday afternoon - the school bell rings and it’s time to go home. You have already been in the parking lot for over an hour, making sure you’re first in line to pick us up. You ask Kyle and I where we want... more
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Susan Gennoe:

August 7, 2020 · via mobile

Harry was so lively and kind every time I had the pleasure to be around him. My nephews had a wonderful Grandpa in Harry and I know my sister Janet treasured him as a father in law. Prayers of peace for his wife, sons and all who were touched by him.
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norman inoue:

August 7, 2020

I MET HARRY KLITZNER ON THE FIRST DAY OF MY EMPLOYMENT AT RAYTHEON, CHICAGO, MONDAY 12/7/53. HIS BOSS WAS ART LOCKE AND AS I ENTERED HE CALLED MY NAME AND INTRODUCED ME TO HARRY HIS CO WORKER.
TAMI AND I DOUBLE DATED WITH HARRY/ANN ON PROBABLY ONE OF... more
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Erik K:

August 6, 2020

Dad taught me what was important in life, and I don’t remember the words. He taught me by what he did, in what was important to him. He taught me about character and how to treat other people. I took it for granted that it was how everybody grew up,... more
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Kurt Klitzner:

August 3, 2020

My father was such an inspiration to me. As a boy he taught me how to laugh and how important humor was in my life. He showed me what true friendship looked like through the countless holiday gatherings with our beloved “second parents” Norman and... more
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- Susan Gennoe I know he had to be so proud of you and your brothers. He raised a great husband and father.
  
  August 7, 2020
- Susan Derrick When I think of Harry I always see his smile and his jovial spirit. Harry always had a kind word and made everyone feel right at home. My mother and I were so blessed to be part of the Klitzner family for so many years. We enjoyed barbecues, dinners... more
  
  August 10, 2020
- David Bonning Just a comment to offer my condolences to the lovely Klitzner family. Those of us who were lucky enough to grow up in that time, and in that place along the Baltra and Inroz streets of Costa Mesa often have fond memories that have lasted decades.
  The... more
  
  July 22, 2021