March 1, 2025
Burial at Arlington National Cemetery on March 5, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
The Passing of CAPT Charles W. Klee, Jr., USN (Ret.)
Dear USNPAA Members,
We are very saddened to report the passing of USNPAA Life Member Captain Chuck Klee on September 10, 2024. His interment at Arlington National Cemetery is on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. What follows is CAPT Klee's obituary, which appeared in February 22, 2025 edition of The Washington Post.
CAPT Charles W. Klee, Jr. USN (Ret)
1933 - 2024
Captain Klee, U.S. Navy (Ret.), of Springfield, Virginia, passed away on September 10, 2024, at Chantilly Heights Memory Care in Chantilly, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 61 years, Martha H. Klee, who passed on November 28, 2020. Together, they raised three children and had four grandchildren.
A 1955 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Journalism, Captain Klee was commissioned as an Ensign through the NROTC program. His early service included a tour as Communications Officer aboard USS SIERRA (AD-18). Following a brief time in civilian roles including sailing as a purser with Grace Lines and working as a pharmaceutical representative he returned to active duty in 1963.
His career took him across the globe, with assignments aboard USS MOUNTRAIL (APA-213), at the U.S. Southern Command in Panama, and as a Media Officer and Plans Chief at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs). He later served in leadership roles at the Ninth Naval District, Great Lakes, Illinois, and as Public Affairs Officer for Navy Recruiting Area FOUR in Columbus, Ohio. His expertise in public affairs was further recognized with assignments as Officer- in-Charge, Fleet Public Affairs Detachment, Subic Bay in the Philippines, Director, Field Activities Division, for Navy Chief of Information's Office, and as Director Public Affairs at U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
Captain Klee concluded his distinguished career as Director of Public Affairs for the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery in Washington, DC, retiring in May 1990 after decades of dedicated service to his country.
Captain Klee will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to the Navy, his commitment to public service, and his deep love for his family. An interment with full military honors at will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on March 5 at 9 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to the Lifetime Learning Institute/NOVA (https://llinova.org/) at the Annandale, Virginia, campus of Northern Virginia Community College. Gifts may be sent to: LLI/NOVA, Founders Hall (CFH Bldg) Room 202, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003-3743. Memorial contributions in his name may also be given to the University of Notre Dame. Please direct your gift to the Naval ROTC Award fund in memory of Charles W. Klee, Jr. (Class of 1955). Gifts may be made online at (https://giving.nd.edu/ways-to-give/honorary-and-memorial-gifts/), by phone at 574-631-5150, or by mail: University of Notre Dame, Department of Development, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556.
Captain Klee’s contributions to his country are long, substantive and meaningful. He touched countless people during his lifetime.
Please keep Chuck’s family in your thoughts.
Sincerely,
Dick Thompson
USNPAA Membership
Obituary
More Notes
Burial at Arlington National Cemetery on March 5, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
The Passing of CAPT Charles W. Klee, Jr., USN (Ret.)
Dear USNPAA Members,
We are very saddened to report the passing of USNPAA Life Member Captain Chuck Klee on September 10, 2024. His interment at Arlington National Cemetery is on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. What follows is CAPT Klee's obituary, which appeared in February 22, 2025 edition of The Washington Post.
CAPT Charles W. Klee, Jr. USN (Ret)
1933 - 2024
Captain Klee, U.S. Navy (Ret.), of Springfield, Virginia, passed away on September 10, 2024, at Chantilly Heights Memory Care in Chantilly, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 61 years, Martha H. Klee, who passed on November 28, 2020. Together, they raised three children and had four grandchildren.
A 1955 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Journalism, Captain Klee was commissioned as an Ensign through the NROTC program. His early service included a tour as Communications Officer aboard USS SIERRA (AD-18). Following a brief time in civilian roles including sailing as a purser with Grace Lines and working as a pharmaceutical representative he returned to active duty in 1963.
His career took him across the globe, with assignments aboard USS MOUNTRAIL (APA-213), at the U.S. Southern Command in Panama, and as a Media Officer and Plans Chief at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs). He later served in leadership roles at the Ninth Naval District, Great Lakes, Illinois, and as Public Affairs Officer for Navy Recruiting Area FOUR in Columbus, Ohio. His expertise in public affairs was further recognized with assignments as Officer- in-Charge, Fleet Public Affairs Detachment, Subic Bay in the Philippines, Director, Field Activities Division, for Navy Chief of Information's Office, and as Director Public Affairs at U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
Captain Klee concluded his distinguished career as Director of Public Affairs for the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery in Washington, DC, retiring in May 1990 after decades of dedicated service to his country.
Captain Klee will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to the Navy, his commitment to public service, and his deep love for his family. An interment with full military honors at will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on March 5 at 9 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to the Lifetime Learning Institute/NOVA (https://llinova.org/) at the Annandale, Virginia, campus of Northern Virginia Community College. Gifts may be sent to: LLI/NOVA, Founders Hall (CFH Bldg) Room 202, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003-3743. Memorial contributions in his name may also be given to the University of Notre Dame. Please direct your gift to the Naval ROTC Award fund in memory of Charles W. Klee, Jr. (Class of 1955). Gifts may be made online at (https://giving.nd.edu/ways-to-give/honorary-and-memorial-gifts/), by phone at 574-631-5150, or by mail: University of Notre Dame, Department of Development, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556.
Captain Klee’s contributions to his country are long, substantive and meaningful. He touched countless people during his lifetime.
Please keep Chuck’s family in your thoughts.
Sincerely,
Dick Thompson
USNPAA Membership
Obituary
More Notes