Gary Klein Remembered as 'Ultimate Citizen'

Former Calabasas Planning Commissioner Gary Klein, who died unexpectedly in a car crash last month, was remembered this week as the "ultimate citizen."

Klein, who was "Citizen of the Year" in 2009, died July 30 at the age of 65.

“He contributed so much to our community and we are going to miss him very much," Calabasas Mayor Mary Sue Maurer said, with emotion in her voice at last week's council meeting.

The mayor presented Klein's widow, Charlene, and family with a plaque honoring him.

Charlene said other than the birth of their children, being named "Citizen of the Year" was the happiest day in her husband's life.

"That plaque is still prominently displayed on our living room mantle. He loved the city of Calabasas," Charlene said.

Mayor Pro Tem Fred Gaines said his children went to school with Klein's kids.

"He was the ultimate citizen participant. It was never about Gary. It was about good public policy," Gaines said.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on March 5, 1947, Klein served as a planner for the city of Los Angeles until his retirement in 2006. He and his wife, Charlene, moved to Calabasas in 1989 where he went on to become president of the Calabasas Park Homeowners Association as well as vice president of the Calabasas Hills Homeowners Association.

Klein served on the Calabasas Planning Commission beginning in 2001. From 2006 to 2008 he chaired the City’s 20-member General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) which created the city’s new 2030 General Plan, a forward-thinking policy guide for development and infrastructure improvement decision making in the city over the next 20 years.

The new plan was honored by the Southern California Association of Governments in 2010 for its emphasis on sustainability.

He is survived by his wife Charlene, his sons Michael and Evan, Michael’s wife Laura and 1-year-old grandson Harrison.