[Important Information for Employees] The Deaths of Dr. Harold Klein and Ms. Leda Bushey

[Gerianne Downs]

Dear Members of our Campus Community,

We’re sorry to have to share the deaths of two long-time retired members of
our campus community who passed away recently, *Dr. Harold Klein* and *Ms.
Leda Bushey*.

*Dr. Harold Klein*

Dr. Klein died Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, at CVPH Medical Center. He was 96.
He began his tenure at SUNY Plattsburgh as an assistant professor in
biology in 1962. He was promoted to associate professor in 1965 and retired
in December 1992.

An Eagle Scout, he was always attracted to the natural world. He enlisted
at 16 in the U.S. Marines in 1945, serving through age 19 at the rank of
corporal. After an honorable discharge, Dr. Klein used his G.I. Bill to
attend Cornell University through to his Ph. D. in biology. That led to his
joining the faculty here , where he taught biology and zoology, focusing
his research on animal behavior.

He had learned how to sail as a student at Cornell and brought his love of
sailing to Lake Champlain where he sailed for more than five decades,
enjoying the sailing community at Valcour Boathouse. He was a member of the
local chapter of the Audubon Society, contributing as a citizen scientist
to numerous annual bird counts. He also enjoyed camping, hiking,
cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, canoeing, fishing, gardening, and
rescuing injured wildlife, and shared many of these pursuits with his
children and grandchildren.

Dr. Klein also had a deep interest in history, particularly American
history. He enjoyed learning about the local history of upstate New York
and its role in the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. He was
dedicated to many causes — particularly the environment, education, the
needs of his local community, animal welfare, historic preservation, public
television and radio — and supported numerous organizations by volunteering
his time and financial support. He served his local community for many
years, including serving on town boards and volunteering at Point au Roche
State Park and Plattsburgh Interfaith Food Shelf.

Arrangements are entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St.,
Plattsburgh, 518-561-3980, https://www.brownfuneralhomeny.com/.

A celebration of life will be held Sunday, Nov. 23 beginning with a program
at 11 a.m. followed by a buffet luncheon at noon at Valcour Inn and
Boathouse, 3714 Route 9, Peru, www.valcourinn.com. Contact Dr. Klein’s
daughter, Elizabeth Frumkin, to RSVP to allow for an approximate headcount,
at elizabethfrumkin at yahoo.com or call 512-965-3152.

A full obituary will be in the Press-Republican print and online editions
tomorrow (Friday, Nov. 21).

*Ms. Leda Bushey*

Ms. Bushey, 88, of North Utica, N.Y., died Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at the
Charles T. Sitrin Health Care Center in New Hartford, N.Y. She began her
career at SUNY Plattsburgh in 1957 as a clerk for the registrar. In 1969,
she was promoted to senior clerk, now known as clerk 2, a position she held
until her December 1999 retirement. She returned for a year from July 2000
to June 2001 to work as a temporary employee clerk 1.

She was a loving auntie to 18 nieces and nephews, numerous great-nieces
and-nephews, and great-great-nieces and -nephews. An avid knitter and
crocheter, she gave countless family members handmade Christmas stockings
and other gifts.

A Mass of Christian burial was held Thursday, Nov. 20 at St. Peter’s Church
in North Utica. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

A full obituary can be found here:
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/leda-bushey-obituary?id=60077593.

Our condolences to all who knew and loved Dr. Klein and Ms. Bushey.

Be well and stay safe,

Gerianne



*GERIANNE DOWNS*

(She/her/hers)

Associate Director of Communications

Office of the President

151 Hawkins Hall

101 Broad Street

Plattsburgh, N.Y. 12901

(o) 518-564-3094

(f) 518-564-2094

Vice President for Professionals

United University Professions

*plattsburgh.edu <http://plattsburgh.edu/>*
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