Louis W. Kleine

Louis W. Kleine, 87 of Las Cruces, NM died Thursday, May 15, 2008. He was born January 5, 1921 in Cardon, Oklahoma. Louis proudly served his country in World War II where he achieved the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Two in the US Army Air Corps. He served as an aircraft engineer for the P-38 Lighting. He served in the Pacific Theater and participated in four major campaigns for which he received decorations. Lou attended New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (renamed New Mexico State University in 1960) where he received baccalaureate and master's degrees in mechanical engineering. In 1963 Professor Kleine was selected by the NMSU administration to found the Department of Engineering Technology within the College of Engineering. Through Lou's strong leadership, the program was immediately successful and the department now has the largest undergraduate enrollment in the College of Engineering. Lou served as department head until his retirement from the university in 1984. He loved teaching and providing opportunities for students and graduates, always taking time to assist them with his friendly, funny and happy demeanor. He was an outstanding teacher, mentor and friend and was a positive influence to thousands of students during his tenure at NMSU. Throughout his retirement, former students from all over the country have contacted Lou to thank him for the education that they received. Lou created a legacy of a student-friendly tradition within the Department of Engineering Technology that continues today. After his retirement, Lou continued to support the Department and College of Engineering with active involvement and support as an emeritus professor. Lou took great pride in the history and events in the College of Engineering and university. He has conducted several oral histories with other prominent members of the NMSU Community that are housed in the universities archives. The Louis and Senith Kleine Scholarship in Engineering Technology is awarded annually to a deserving student. During both his academic and his retirement, Lou Kleine simply made NMSU a better place. He is survived by his loving wife, Doris Jolly; two daughters, Donna Barry and husband Fred of Dixon, California; Chris McLaughlin and husband Jim of Longview, Washington; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Memorial Funeral Services will be held at 2 PM on Monday, May 19, 2008 at Getz Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. Gorton Smith of St. Paul's United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers the family request's that donations be made to The Lou and Senith Kleine Scholarship Fund at NMSU or Mesilla Valley Hospice