Saratoga News

Obituaries

Peter Klein

Former Saratoga resident Peter E. Klein died Jan. 17 of a heart attack in Sarasota, Fla., at the age of 62.

Born Dec. 8, 1935, in Vienna, Austria, Klein was chairman of Klein International Ltd., a manufacturer of holiday products. From 1972 to 1983, he and his family lived in Saratoga, during which time their three children attended local schools. The Kleins later moved to Lake Oswego, Ore.

While in Saratoga, Klein served as commissioner of Saratoga AYSO Soccer and was the first commissioner to invite girls to participate in the sport. He also served on the Northern California regional board of directors. He was a former semi-pro player himself and coached both boys' and girls' teams.

"He was known and loved for his wonderful sense of humor and often said that his mission in life was to make people laugh," remembers his wife, Patricia.

Survivors include wife Patricia Klein of Lake Oswego, Ore.; sons Barry and Jeffrey Klein of Tigard, Ore.; and daughter Allyson Klein of Portland, Ore.

Memorial services have been held. Donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

John Crothers

John Crothers of Saratoga died Feb. 4 at Guardian Health Care of Los Gatos. He was 81.

He was a California native, born Nov. 20, 1916. He was a production analyst for the U.S. government, working in the Department of Defense. He also taught remedial mathematics at Fremont High School for three years and served as treasurer of the Humane Society of Santa Clara Valley for 17 years.

Survivors include wife Virginia Crothers of Saratoga; daughter Cathy Lee Crothers of Sunnyvale; and brothers Roy Crothers of Stockton and George Crothers of Sunnyvale.

Memorial services have been held, with interment at Madronia Cemetery, Saratoga.

Grace Eilrich

Grace Mae Eilrich, who lived in San Jose and Saratoga, died Feb. 6 at Los Gatos Community Hospital. She was 82.

She was born Dec. 4, 1915, in Montana and worked as a registered nurse in Nebraska before moving to Oregon, where she was a homemaker. She later moved to Southern California, where she worked in the pathology at Santa Monica Hospital. Upon retiring in 1972, she moved to Kansas, then settled back in California in 1982.

Reading and stitchery were among her hobbies.

She is survived by her daughter, Annette "Nettie" Morse of Saratoga, and granddaughter Teri McFadden of San Jose.

Memorial services have been held.

[ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ]