January 31, 2010
Philip Klindt, 69, dies
Tentative services are set Feb. 20, 2010 at the Civic Auditorium
The Dalles native and longtime local businessman Philip Walter Klindt, 69, died Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010, surrounded by friends and family, after a long battle against cancer.
Klindt owned and operated Klindt’s Booksellers & Stationers (formerly Nickelsens and Weigelts) in downtown The Dalles with his wife, Linda, who died in 2000. He continued to operate the book store after her death and was able to preside over its 140th anniversary celebration in October 2009. He and his wife were also world travelers who led many tours from The Dalles to Europe, Russia and elsewhere.
He was born Aug. 14, 1940, to Henry and Phyllis Klindt in The Dalles. He and his younger brother Paul grew up across the drive from their grandparents on the ancestral farm on the bend of the Columbia River, now occupied by the Port of The Dalles.
After graduating from The Dalles High School in 1958, he started college at the University of Oregon. He finished college at the
University of Washington, where he met his future wife, Linda Roubalik. They were married in December 1966. They both went on to earn doctorates in Slavic linguistics from the University of Washington. Afterward, they moved to Austin, Texas, where Philip taught in the Russian department for several years before returning to the Northwest.
In the 1960s, Philip and Linda Klindt started their travels with camping tours to Soviet Russia with his students, returning time after time.
The Klindts returned to the Pacific Northwest in the early 1970s, living in the Seattle area for a few years, working as teachers and continuing their travels.
In 1980, they returned to The Dalles and purchased Weigelt’s Stationers. They operated it as Klindt’s Booksellers & Stationers. Under their ownership, Klindt’s became a core business in the downtown area, where people came not only to buy books, but also to catch up on local happenings, buy tickets to events, and talk over the history and future of the community. It also served as the downtown stop for the senior bus, whose passengers would congregate at the store.
In his last interview with The Chronicle, Klindt mourned the passing of that generation and their stories of the past, but celebrated the continuing generations that were passing through the store.
“They are still coming in and they’re not little kids anymore,” he said Oct. 1, 2009. “Now they’re bringing in their children. And the people who were high school students then are now bringing in their grandkids. It’s been kind of fun over the years.”
Klindt is survived by his brother Paul Klindt, Parkdale, and his family Bobbie and Hannah; his nephew Dane (Stephanie) Klindt and their children Preston, Addison, Cooper and Kailee, The Dalles; his niece Kristin (Joaquin) Perez and their son Henry, Napa, Calif.; his aunt Betty Lundstrom, Seattle; and many cousins and other relatives.
Memorials may be made to Friends of the Library, CHILD Smart Reader Program, the Civic Auditorium, or Hospice of the Gorge. Public viewing will be at Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home, Tuesday, Feb. 2, from 2 to 6 p.m. Plans are under way for a memorial service Feb. 20 at The Dalles Civic Auditorium.
Philip Walter Klindt
August 14, 1940 - January 28, 2010
On January 28, 2010, Philip Walter Klindt died as he lived, surrounded by friends and family. Philip was 69 years old. He lived every one of those years in full and made each of those years a blessing to others.
Philip was born in The Dalles August 14, 1940, to Henry and Phyllis Klindt. He and his younger brother Paul grew up across the drive from their grandparents on the ancestral farm on the bend of the Columbia River, now occupied by the Port Authority. The open-hearted environment in which he grew up is one he expanded upon in his own life.
After graduating from The Dalles High School in 1958, Philip started college at the University of Oregon. He finished college at the University of Washington, where he made friends, made music (playing piano for dance classes), learned Russian, and met his future wife, Linda Roubalik. Philip and Linda married in December, 1966. They both went on to earn PhDs in Slavic linguistics from the University of Washington. After their marriage, Philip and Linda moved to Austin, Texas, where Philip taught in the Russian department for several years before returning to the Northwest.
Philip was a born teacher, who loved introducing the wider world to anyone who was interested, and he could interest almost anyone. It was in the 1960’s that Philip and Linda started their travels with camping tours to Soviet Russia with his students. They went back, time and time again, always sharing the depth of their knowledge, proficiency in the language, and love of the culture. Later they did the same with travels in Europe, the United States and elsewhere. All who were lucky enough to travel with Philip and Linda saw a lot, learned a lot, laughed a lot, and became lifelong friends.
Philip and Linda returned to the Northwest in the early 1970’s, living in the Seattle area for a few years. Both continued formally as teachers during that time, and continued traveling. In 1980 Philip and Linda returned to The Dalles, purchased Weigelt’s Bookstore, and operated it as Klindt’s Booksellers & Stationers. It was there that they continued their lives as teachers, less formally. They welcomed everyone in the community into their store and home, enriching everyone with their extraordinary warmth and breadth of knowledge. After Linda’s death in 2000, Philip continued to operate the store, and was able to preside over its 140th anniversary, at which it was recognized as the oldest bookstore in Oregon.
With Philip at the helm, Klindt’s became a place where people of all ages came to talk, to mull over the history and future of their community, to tease their friends, and to find interesting things they might never have otherwise come in contact with.
Philip Klindt was completely himself with every person in his life – a man without pretense or formality, and a man who loved people in their great variety. His life was enriched by his many, many friends. Their lives were broadened and enriched by him.
Philip Klindt is survived by his brother Paul Klindt, Parkdale, and his family Bobbi & Hannah; his nephew Dane (Stephanie) Klindt, and their children Preston, Addison, Cooper and Kailee, The Dalles; his niece Kristin (Joaquin) Perez and their son Henry, Napa, California; his aunt Betty Lundstrom, Seattle; and many cousins and other relatives.
Memorials may be made to Friends of the Library; CHILD Smart Reader Program; the Civic Auditorium; or Hospice of the Gorge. Public viewing at Spencer, Libby & Powell Tuesday, February 2nd, 2pm to 6pm.
Plans are under way for a memorial service Feb. 20 at The Dalles Civic Auditorium.
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