My organist and Symphony buddy, Sam Lam, texted me with the news: “Bud Klein died Sept. 27.” This was a shock to me, as I’ve known Henry C. “Bud” Klein for over 40 years. He was primarily known to me as the choir director emeritus of Waiokeola Congregational Church. He was one of the original members of the Honolulu Compline Choir (begun 1976) and sang many times with the Lutheran Church of Honolulu Choir, under my husband, Carl.

Here’s the obituary from today’s Star-Advertiser:

Bud Klein, 84, of Honolulu passed away on September 27, 2020. He was born in Muskego, Michigan. He moved to Hawaii in 1958 with his new bride, Marilyn “Lyn” Jones (deceased 2010), after graduating from Princeton University. He was a lifelong learner and had three careers. He taught at Punahou School, was a general engineer at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, and operated a tax preparation and consulting practice. A multitalented man, he was also the music minister at Waiokeola Congregational Church for decades, and played the piano, organ and the string bass. He was a world traveler, always excited to take the next trip. He is survived by his children Pamela Klein (Steve Cox), Russell Klein (Sharon), Kathryn Moore (David), brother Don Klein, and five grandchildren. Services will be private due to the pandemic. A celebration of life is planned for next summer. Donations suggested to Waiokeola Congregational Church or Princeton University.

I never heard Bud play the organ, but I’m sure it was due to his encouragement that I took on his grandson, Andrew Moore, as my organ student for several years until Andrew went off to college. Then when organist Gloria Faltstrom retired from Waiokeola, I substituted there for seven months before the pandemic, and was able to see Bud on a regular basis, in addition to his daughter Kathy and her husband, David, whom I had gotten to know through the organ lessons with Andrew.

Both Bud and his wife, Lyn, were active members of the Hawaii Chapter American Guild of Organists and for many years, Bud served as treasurer of our local chapter. We especially dealt with Bud on a close basis during the regional conventions of the AGO when they were held in Honolulu, and as he carried out all the treasurer duties.

In addition to the Compline Choir, LCH Choir, and AGO, we were also acquainted with Bud and Lyn through the American Choral Directors Association. For many years Bud spearheaded the annual Oahu Church Choir Festival with a guest conductor. I recall Bud also going along on one of the European trips of the Hawaii Masterworks Chorus with Tim Carney conducting.

I remember that when Bud celebrated his 30th anniversary as the choir director of Waiokeola, the members of his choir secretly commissioned a special anthem by composer Allen Pote, “If God Is For Us,” and performed it for him.

Here are some of the pictures of Bud I had on my phone:

Aloha, Bud!