Philip Klenk passed away in peace on Sunday afternoon March 19, 2017 in Maitland, Florida. He was 89 years of age. He is survived by his wife Gerda, of 37 years, daughter Barbara, Cornelia, son Andreas, son-in-law Andrew and grandchildren Julianne, Garrett and Jake.
Philip was born on July 31, 1927 to Andreas and Rosina Klenk in Liebling, Romania, where he grew up. Toward the end of WWII, when he was 17 years of age, Philip was drafted at gunpoint to serve in the German army, where he and his unit were immediately sent to Berlin to hold back the advancing Russian army. His leg was badly injured in a landmine explosion, and he survived by convincing a German doctor to treat his wounds in exchange for contraband cigarettes. Once the Russian army overtook Berlin, Philip walked back to West Germany on a badly injured leg, and later emigrated to the United States. He came to the United States in 1952 working as an electrician, an electrical engineer at Siemens, and then an electron microscope service specialist at Carl Zeiss Inc. of Thornwood, NY for 22 years. He lived in Teaneck and Mahwah, NJ while employed and during retirement move to Apopka and eventually Maitland, Florida.
In his retirement he became an avid golfer and member of the Winter Park Country Club. Philip was known for his sincere and loyal demeanor to his friends and family and all who knew him. He will be greatly and immensely missed and remembered eternally by friends and family, (Pops, Daddy, Philip we love and miss you and you will always have a special place in our hearts).
In lieu of flowers any donations in memory of Philip Klenk can be sent to Hospice of the Comforter, c/o Donation Department, 480 W. Central Parkway, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714