BRUNSWICK — Walter J. Klein, Jr., age 84, of Brunswick, died peacefully at his home on Friday, July 13, 2012.

He was born in New York City on February 15, 1928, to Kathleen (Ward) and Walter J. Klein. He graduated from Fordham Preparatory High School and served in the U.S. military when he was drafted at the close of World War II and sent to the Philippines. After completing his service he attended New York University on the GI bill and received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from NYU.

On April 11, 1970, he married Brunswick native Ruth Ann Bouchard, whom he met at a “Catch-a-Catholic” dance sponsored by the Catholic Alumni club when they were both living in New York. He spent his early career working for Eastern Airlines and as an Assistant Editor for Prentiss Hall, but his great love was working for the New York University Alumni Office, where he was the founder and editor of “The Alumni News”. He worked for NYU for 38 years and ultimately served as Director of the Alumni Office.

Upon retirement, he and Ruth moved to her hometown of Brunswick where he intended to pursue his writing. An accomplished fiction writer (he had published two earlier novels: “The Dance Merchants” in 1958 and “The Big Question” in 1960), he had often dreamed of writing the great American novel. Sadly, failing vision brought on by macular degeneration prevented him from pursuing this goal, which was the great disappointment of his life.

An avid reader, ballroom dancer and model airplane designer, friends describe him as “the most knowledgeable, informed man who could talk about anything.” Beloved by his family for his kindness and dry sense of humor, wife Ruth describes Walter as “the most gentle, most intelligent man I ever met.”

He is survived by his wife, Ruth, and his son, Gregory, of Brunswick; and his niece, Gina Callaghan, of New York. He is predeceased by his sister, Kathleen Callaghan.

Family and friends are invited to participate in a Funeral Mass in memory of Walter at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 28, at St. Charles Church of All Saints Parish, 132 McKeen Street, Brunswick. A private burial will be held at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta.

In lieu of flowers, the Klein family asks that donations be made in memory of Walter to the Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant Street, Brunswick, ME 04011.