The Honorable Judge Kurt Peter Klein, 72, Sycamore, Illinois passed away Friday, January 15, 2016, in Arizona with his beloved wife, Linda by his side. 

Kurt was born September 30, 1943, to Edmund and Rose (Ortman) Klein. He served in the United States Army and was stationed in Japan. He graduated from the University of Illinois-Chicago and DePaul University Law School. He began his legal career as an Assistant for the Cook County States Attorney's Office. He moved to DeKalb County in 1977 where he became a contributing member of the DeKalb County community. He served as the First Assistant in the DeKalb County State's Attorney's Office. He was a founding member of the Gallagher, Klein and Brady law firm. He was an attorney for 43 years and served as a Judge in the 16th Judicial Circuit for the last 17 years of his career, 11 years as Presiding Judge of DeKalb County. During his time as judge he was an integral part of the historical preservation and recent courthouse expansion as well as being a leading force in creating the 23rd judicial circuit, DeKalb and Kendall Counties. He also established the first Juvenile Safe House for at risk youth.

As the Juvenile Court Judge, he was passionate about guiding kids through the system so that they could move forward to lead lives of dignity. Among Judge Klein's prized possessions was a considerable stack of letters from young people. The unifying theme among the letters was that they felt respected by him and were treated with fairness and kindness. They appreciated that he saw them as having great potential and that he believed in them. Their letters articulate and support a professional life well lived. Judge Klein understood how the legal system could serve the needs of the community and it was his mission to respect that process. 

Kurt was an active community member. He was a member of the Sycamore Rotary Club, the Illinois State Bar Association, the DeKalb County Bar Association, American Legion and Church of St. Mary, Sycamore. Serving and improving the community he loved was of great importance to him. In his short but purposeful retirement Kurt enjoyed traveling with his wife, spending time with family and friends, riding his motorcycle and playing with his grandsons, Coen and Nash. 

Kurt is survived by his wife, Linda; daughter, Emily (Scott) Sullivan; son, Danny Klein; grandchildren, Coen and Nash Sullivan; brother, Steve (Paula) Klein; brother, Chuck (Karen) Klein; sister-in-law, Nikki Aziz; two nieces and three nephews, and many friends of all generations whom he absolutely considered family. Kurt was looking forward with great pleasure to meeting his first granddaughter to be born later this month. 

Kurt is preceded in death by his parents, Rose and Edmund Klein; brother, Thomas Klein; sister-in-law, Kathy Kemp; and dear friend T. Jordan Gallagher. 

Services have been held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association or CASA- DeKalb County, Inc in his name in care of the Butala Funeral Home and Crematory, 1405 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL 60178.

For info or to sign the online guest book, go to www.ButalaFuneralHomes.com or call 815-895-2833. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/daily-chronicle/obituary.aspx?pid=17736...