Howard “Howie” Klein, a volunteer for 29 years at Vermont Public Radio, died March 6 from natural causes. He was 85.
Klein (Photo: VPR)
Klein moved from the Bronx borough of New York City, his hometown, to Burlington, Vt., in the 1980s. After retiring from his career in engineering, he began volunteering at VPR every weekday beginning in 1984. A release from VPR said he donated his time to the station “to process membership donations, do the crossword puzzle and harass the staff in the most endearing way imaginable.”
“I fell in love with Howard when I discovered he is a dog person and he gave me his daily dog calendar from the previous year,” said VPR’s Franny Bastian, director of programming and production. “I remember how much he hated for me to hug or kiss him — but he warmed up to it very quickly and would even stand still for it and smile. Thanks Howard, for your cute, hairy ears.”
VPR will hold a memorial service for Klein April 13. Interested attendees are asked to RSVP to [email protected]. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Klein’s honor to the Humane Society of Chittenden County.