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Harold S. Klein Obituary

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Harold S. Klein

Dobbs Ferry, NY

January 14, 1921 - September 5, 2010

Harold S. Klein Obituary

Harold S. Klein, 89, attorney and judge, born in Yonkers, NY, January 14, 1921, died Sunday, September 5, 2010. Mr. Klein was a Dobbs Ferry resident from 1955-2007. A lifelong Democrat, he ran for numerous public offices including the NY State Senate, Mayor of Dobbs Ferry, Village Trustee, and Town Justice in Greenburgh. He also ran Senator Hubert Humphrey's presidential campaign for Westchester County. An expert in copyright and trademark law, Mr. Klein filed the first visual copyright of a dance piece for choreographer Martha Graham in 1974, and served countless times as an expert witness in the field. As an entertainment attorney, he worked first for CBS, then for Columbia Pictures, and as the Executive Assistant to United Artists' president, Arthur Krim. Later he was a partner in the law firm of Javits Trubin Sillcocks and Edelman and later worked as a sole practitioner. For numerous years, as a respected negotiator, he represented the seven major motion picture studios in their negotiations with all of the labor unions with whom they worked. Mr. Klein served as a Town Judge in Greenburgh from 1986-1999 and during this time also served as the President of the Westchester County Magistrates' Association. An experienced and respected arbitrator, he was a member of the American Arbitration Society. A graduate of the University of Michigan and Harvard Law School, Mr. Klein devoted countless hours to community service and education throughout his life. As the President of University of Michigan's Alumni Association, he devised the University's Annual Giving Campaign and served as its Chairman. He received the University's prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award. During World War II, Mr. Klein spent 3 years in the China Burma India Theatre CBI as a Japanese linguist and intelligence officer who studied and broke Japanese codes, served 30 years, and retired as a full Colonel in the reserves. A devoted public servant, Mr. Klein was Chairman of the Dobbs Ferry Hospital Board of Trustees for 25 years and was instrumental in keeping the hospital open and maintaining an ongoing effort to secure sufficient funding for its continued operation. Mr. Klein was also a Village Trustee, President of the Dobbs Ferry School Board and its Home and School Association, and an active Rotary member. An avid supporter of the arts, Mr. Klein was President of Steffi Nossen's Dance in Education Fund for many years, and frequently did pro bono legal work for emerging and existing writers, artists, actors and musicians. Mr. Klein's wife, Agnes Folts Klein, predeceased him in 1988, as did his older brother Myron Klein in 1987. He is survived by his four daughters, Kathryn L. Klein, Christiann L. Klein, Gretchen E. Klein, and Laura J. Klein. He is also survived by five grandchildren, his older sister, Rhoda Breitbart , a nephew and a niece. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the University of Michigan Alumni Association, with Harold S. Klein noted in the memo section of the check, for a scholarship which will be established in his name. Please send contributions to Alumni Association of the University of Michigan, 200 Fletcher Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday September 8, 2010 at Edwards Dowdle Funeral Home, 64 Ashford Avenue, Dobbs Ferry, NY, 10522. Visitors are welcome to join the family at noon prior to the service.

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