Reuben George Klammer, age 103 of Palos Verdes Estates, California, passed away peacefully at home on Jan.19, 2021. He was the seventh child, born Sept. 22, 1917, on the George Klammer Homestead Farm. He attended Corey Country Schoolhouse and then halfway through the grades transferred to the Lutheran parochial school in Howard Lake, Minnesota; confirmed at 13-1/2 years old at the St. James Lutheran Church on March 1931. He graduated from Howard Lake High School receiving his Diploma on May 29, 1936. He attended Hamline University transferring in 1938 to the University of Minnesota. Reuben said, “Upon graduating as an Aeronautical Engineer in June 1942, I immediately reported for active duty as a commissioned officer with the rank of Ensign and left for East Hartford, Connecticut. After completing the two-month aircraft engine course, I was reassigned to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.”

After WWII, Reuben worked for Civil Service and Northrop Aircraft. Reuben and Doris were united in marriage on Sept. 2, 1947: University Lutheran Church in Seattle by Clinton Ostrander. They raised a family of three children in Lunada Bay: Marcia, Roger and Bob. Reuben had a successful military career with the Armed Forces and continued his service in the Naval Reserve until 1977, retiring with the rank of Captain. He worked for 31 years at Hughes Aircraft, retiring in 1985 as Manager of Technical staff Development.

He had many areas of interest. His favorite was flying; achieving Commercial Pilot and Instructor ratings. Reuben loved soaring in his high-performance sailplane and made record flights for altitude and distance. He gave sailplane rides to over 900 people. He was a member of Resurrection Lutheran Church, University of Minnesota Alumni Association, American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics, Military Officers Association of America, Soaring Society of America, and Palos Verdes Breakfast Club.

He also enjoyed traveling and sharing activities with the family. Reuben is survived by three children: Marcia Messenger (Klammer) and husband David Messenger of Penn Valley, California; Roger Klammer and wife Diane Klammer (Nelson) of Boulder, Colorado; Bob Klammer and wife Kathy Klammer (Van Heukelem) of Santa Barbara, California; six grandchildren: Dan Messenger, Michael Messenger, Aaron Klammer, Audrey Klammer, Ryan Klammer and Lauren Klammer; twin-great granddaughters: Abigail Messenger, Vivien Messenger and many nieces and nephews.

Reuben was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mary Klammer; wife Doris Kathleen Klammer (Johnson); and brothers and sisters: Erwin Klammer, Elmer Klammer, Clara Sophia Luhman (Klammer), Edwin Klammer, Eleanor Wandersee (Klammer) and Alfred Klammer.

Arrangements by Neptune Society: Captain Reuben George Klammer, USNR, Husband of Doris Kathleen Klammer laid to rest at Riverside National Cemetery.

Please join Reuben Klammer’s Celebration of Life: https://youtu.be/F5LHfsZnF4c.