In Memoriam
Jim Klint
Jim Klint
1964 graduation
- Obituary
- Remembrance by Bob Reum '64
Obituary
ROCKFORD, IL ― Dr. James Bernard Klint, loving husband of 38 years, father and friend, passed away April 19, 2003, after a nine-month battle with cancer.
Born May 5, 1942, in Rockford, Jim Klint graduated with honors from Yale University, receiving his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine. He served his internship and residency at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center and University of California in San Francisco. Board certified in internal medicine, hematology and oncology, he was part of the last doctor draft and served two years at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, where he was also associated with Johns Hopkins University.
Dr. Klint joined the Palo Alto Medical Clinic in 1975 as an oncologist / hematologist, and was a member of the teaching faculty at Stanford University for 15 years. He joined the Sports Medicine Department of the Palo Alto Clinic, and became involved with sports medicine at Stanford University, associated primarily with the football and basketball teams.
In 1979 he became the team doctor for the San Francisco Forty Niners, serving in that capacity for 23 years. His professional success was measured by his close relationships with coaches, players and staff. He was instrumental in establishing the NFL Substance Abuse program and considered it one of his proudest accomplishments. His 49ers career was unsurpassed by any other physician in the NFL. He is the only physician among NFL doctors who has five Super Bowl rings.
Jim's legion of friends and patients will remember him most for his caring and compassionate nature. His patients knew of his willingness to give each of them as much time as was ever needed. His friends benefited from that same generous nature. Jim was always available to his friends, willing to listen and give honest, straightforward advice if need be. His impact on so many lives is amazing considering the time he gave individually to so many patients and friends.
After retiring from the Palo Alto Medical Foundation in 1997, he spent his time as a consultant to biotech companies, served on the board of directors of several companies, as well as the Page Mill YMCA Board. Jim enjoyed playing golf, and was particularly proud of his contribution toward the renovation of the Palo Alto Hills Country Club Golf Course.
When his granddaughter was diagnosed with Type I Juvenile Diabetes in 2000, he became a supporter and, shortly thereafter, a member of the Board of Directors of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, San Francisco chapter. In addition to his other affiliations, Jim was a member of the NFL Team Doctors Association, Yale University Alumni Association, Menlo Circus Club, Menlo Country Club and Menlo Park Presbyterian Church.
His first love was his wife, Kris, his childhood
sweetheart of more than 45 years. He is also survived by his son, Erik Klint;
daughter, Karin Riley; son-in-law, Jim Riley; two grandchildren, Emily and
Will Riley; and his brother, Ted Klint of Rockford. Jim will be remembered
for his honesty and sense of humor and most of all, for his love and
devotion to his family, his patients and his friends.
A memorial service will be at noon Thursday, May 1, in Menlo Park
Presbyterian Church on Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park. In lieu of flowers,
the family prefers contributions in Jim's memory be made to: Juvenile
Diabetes Research Foundation, Greater Bay Area Chapter, 121 Second St., 2nd
Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105; or, Pathways Hospice Foundation, 201 San
Antonio Circle, Suite 104, Mountain View, CA 94040. Fred C. Olson Funeral
Chapels Ltd., East Chapel, 1001 Second Ave., Rockford, assisted the family.
Remembrance
by Bob Reum '64
read at our 40th Reunion
June 4, 2004
I will always remember my initial meeting with Jim in the summer of 1960, since I was immediately impressed by his maturity and leadership. At Yale he demonstrated his leadership qualities when he was elected president of Beta, and graduated with honors.
After graduation he married Kris, his childhood sweetheart, and moved on to med school. He served his internship at NY Hospital, Cornell Medical Center, and illustrated his caring and compassionate nature by helping a Yale classmate through a unique and difficult medical situation. His introduction to California came through his residency at the University of California in San Francisco. He later became part of the teaching faculty at Stanford University.
Although oncology and hematology were his trained specialties, he became involved with sports medicine at Stanford University in the 1970s. In 1979 he became the team doctor for the San Francisco 49ers and served in that capacity for 23 years. He was instrumental in establishing the NFL substance abuse program and considered it one of his proudest accomplishments. In addition, he is the only physician among NFL doctors who has five Super Bowl rings.
Most of all, we will remember Jim for his honesty, sense of humor, and love and devotion to his family, patients and friends.