Jay Kay Klein (1931-2012)
Photographer, fan, artist, and occasional SF writer Jay Kay Klein, 80, died May 13, 2012 in a Syracuse NY hospice. He had esophageal cancer.
Klein was a well-known figure in SF fandom, renowned for his work as a photographer and taking thousands of photos over the decades at conventions. Countless numbers of his photos have appeared in SF publications, and he was a regular contributor to Locus. He was close friends with major SF figures including Isaac Asimov, Frederik Pohl, and Forrest J Ackerman.
Klein discovered fandom in 1945 at a meeting of the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society, and began contributing to fanzines the following year. Klein was fan guest of honor at the 1974 Worldcon and toastmaster at many other conventions.
In addition to his fannish activities also wrote the occasional short SF story, beginning with “On Conquered Earth” (1967) in If, and “Probability Zero” vignettes for Analog, including “Century of Progress” (1984) and “Mass Communication” (1985).
He was a member of SFWA, First Fandom, the National Fantasy Fan Federation, and various regional SF leagues. In 1990 he was honored with a Big Heart Award for his services to the field.
Born July 28, 1931 in Philadelphia PA, Klein graduated from Syracuse University in 1953, and pursued graduate studies in English there from 1955-59. He spent most of his career in advertising at the General Electric Corporation and Carrier Corporation, where he remained until retirement.
His work will be exhibited at Chicon 7, the 70th World Science Fiction Convention, August 30 – September 3, 2012, in Chicago IL, and there is also a celebration of his life planned for the convention.
Klein’s wife of 57 years, Doris Klemmer Klein, predeceased him in October 2011.
See the June issue of Locus for a complete obituary.
