Charles "Chuck" Bernard Klein

Chuck as he was known by many who knew him passed peacefully from this life on August 23, 2025. Chuck was born December 21, 1941, in Oak Park Illinois to Bernard Nicholas Klein and Henrietta Frances (Darrah) Klein. He spent his youth in the Oak Park, after graduation he set out to explore the US traveling in his ragtop convertible traveling as far as Alaska with just a tent.

In 1962 Chuck joined the US Navy as a Machinist Mate, originally assigned to serve aboard a submarine but after a stint as an instructor in Galway NY the Navy changed plans and he was assigned to serve aboard the USS Enterprise. While in the Navy Chuck married Bonnie Joy Neubauer in Winfield, Illinois on September 10, 1966. The Navy took them to many places including Hawaii, Bremerton WA, Saratoga Springs NY where they welcomed their daughter Tamara Sue. Their final duty station was in Norfolk VA where he was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1970. They moved to Springfield VT, where they welcomed their son Steven Charles, and then Springfield NH. He worked in many small machine shops in and around Springfield, VT and Springfield, NH. During his time in Springfield NH, he served as Fire Chief of the all-volunteer fire department, on the Planning Board and Budget Committee. In 1980 he packed up the family and moved across the country to work for the Los Alamos National Laboratory as a machinist and for the past 45 years they resided in White Rock, NM. Chuck always considered Springfield NH home even after all the years of being in New Mexico. In 1998 he retired and one of his proudest accomplishments was that he was retired longer than he worked.

Opa, as he was known to his grandchildren, was extremely proud of them and the career paths they each took, Megan as a construction site manager and Brandon who is currently a Captain in the US Army. Memories Megan and Brandon will hold dear to their hearts are of Opa building things, large or small from wood, metal and even the cardboard boxes he would send items to them in would be cut down or made larger to specifically fit the item being sent. Another fond memory the grandchildren hold is of Opa’s love of trains and a trip to a train station where model trains were set up to run throughout the building. He always had a story to share about his time in the Navy, his travels to Alaska and so many other locations whether it was in his ragtop convertible with a tent or his 1966 Camper Special Ford Pickup and camper.

Chuck and Bonnie would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary September 10th. He is survived by his lovely wife Bonnie, daughter Tamara and son-in-law Kenneth Butcher, granddaughter Megan Trinia and her husband Ryan Medeiros, grandson Brandon Sawyer, son Steven and his wife Mandy. Also surviving are his nieces Frances Cofer and husband Trent, and Julie Anderson and husband Kyle and children Emily and Kayla.

Chuck was predeceased by his parents Bernard and Henrietta and sister Margaret Helen Cleveland.

The family would like to thank Mike for visiting him during his finally days, also the incredible care received at Los Alamos Medical Center and in Chuck’s final days at Scott’s House in Santa Fe.

There will be no service, if you would like to make a donation in his memory, please consider the Navy Memorial Fund at NavyMemorial.org or Boys Town at Boystown.org.

Please feel encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.riverafamilyfuneralhome.com