William “Roland” Klein passed away on June 20, 2026 at the age of 88. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frieda and William (Willie) Klein. Roland is survived by his brother Gerald (Gloria) Klein, niece Michelle (Dave) Clenin, nephew Brian (Sandy) Klein, three great-nieces – Taylor Clenin, Maggie Klein, and Katie Klein – great-nephew Joshua (Olivia) Clenin, great-great-niece “Emmy”, and many friends. Roland was a Parkway West High School history teacher for 30+ years. He was known by his students as “Mister B+”. Roland loved to travel and spent many of his summers traveling the USA and visiting many countries.
A visitation will be held at Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Locust St., St. Louis, Missouri on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 1 pm, followed by a memorial service and internment of his ashes at the church at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to Christ Church Cathedral would be greatly appreciated.
He was a fantastic teacher! The best teacher I had at Parkway West.
Insightful with great stories I still recall today.
Mr Klein was my favorite teacher at Parkway West due to both what he taught, how he taught it and how he challenged me. He pushed hard on research, critical thinking and writing skills. His influence still impacts how I approach things to this day and I thank him for that. PWSHS 1975
A very demanding teacher who was also lots of fun. I think he had a lot to do with my strong views about personal responsibility.
Mr. Klein was one of my favorite teachers at Parkway West. To this day, I credit him with my love of history and art. His passion was contagious and the rigor his class changed how I view and explore the world. Class of 1996.
“Uncle Rolly” was my favorite teacher. He inspired, challenged, and taught more than just history. His gorgeous slide show of Chartres Cathedral became a bucket list visit I fulfilled in 2023. Keeping in touch with him over the years led to enjoyable and meaningful conversation even up to a few days before his passing. He is missed.
I was quite saddened to learn of his passing, he was one of my very early educational mentors. He incentivized me to pursue History as a discipline in life, especially after earning Honors in that discipline. Mr. Klein was a true leader and artist at his craft. Perhaps other’s will emulate his outstanding Socratic teaching style, although unlikely it will ever be surpassed. You have left an enduring and most honorable legacy, Mr. Klein.
As a new teacher at West High in 1982, I quickly learned that Roland breathed rarified air. An elitist who did not favor fools, he was revered as an outstanding teacher by the many gifted students that attended West High. May you rest in peace Roland. How wonderful that your legacy lives on in the thousands of students you taught over the course of your career.
You said it perfectly.
From an early age, I always had a passion for history. Mr. Klein heightened that enthusiasm through the critical lens he taught daily in his class. Even today as a historian and writer, I still refer to and use those skills learned all those years ago. Condolences, and thank you Mr. Klein. PW’91
Oh my goodness, Mr. Klein was a treasure. He was probably the toughest teacher I had in high school but once you earned his respect through hard work, you knew you deserved it. You could tell he really cared about teaching and his students.
I can still hear his voice perfectly in my head. Not a lot of teachers I can say that about.
You will be missed, sir.
Mr Klein definitely left his students with an appreciation (if not passion) for history and skills for learning in whatever came next in our lives. I still think of that classroom nearly 40 years later and the experiences gained through his instruction. Rest in peace.
“Take out a piece of paper and number from one to ten”. To this day I can hear these words, clear as a bell. Accountably and preparation were taught in Mr. Klein’s classroom. Alongside, joy and love for timeless places and influential people.
While history was never my profession, I keep returning to it as a personal passion. This is 100% due to Mr. Klein; proof of his lasting impact.
What a unique, memorable, and wonderful teacher. We were blessed to have had him in our lives for a year or two in high school.
I never had him as a teacher but may he rest in peace.
Thank you, Mr. Klein, for the amazing year I spent learning world history from you in your class. You were knowledgeable, fair, engaging, and passionate about your subject matter. Bar none, one of the absolute best teachers I’ve ever had. Cheers to a life well-lived. You will be missed.
Phenomenal teacher. Caring mentor. Mr. Kline is one in 1 million. He will be forever treasured and missed.
I cheated on one of his tests when he was out of the room. I wasn’t the only one. Word got back to him, and his disappointment in us was something I’ll never forget. And I never did it again.
Mr. Klein was a huge influence in my life as I had him for both world and US history. He always challenged us to think. He showed me early how to pose questions that let students think rather than memorize. He pushed us beyond what our colleagues were doing in non-honors classes. He was supportive of us but called out the slacking off when needed.
I had him in Fall of 1982 when the Cardinals won the World Series. I remember several people in the class skipping school to go to the parade. Let’s just say that they got to answer plenty of questions on the reading the next day. Having enough sense, I skipped to go to Opening Day where the team got their World Series rings. By that time, memories had died down and I was able to cough my way through an illness excuse for missing that day. 🙂
He also had a sweet tooth and loved Dunkin, which was where I worked after school and on weekends. So I was able to bring in 2 dozen donuts periodically and that usually bought me a little grace if I had started the reading but not finished it, which I did finish later that night because if you didn’t, you didn’t pass the exam.
Finally, AFTP and the slippers that Mr Klein wore that looked like elf shoes.
Mr. Klein, may you rest in peace and thank you for the memories.
Shirley Clark, Class of 1983
Mr. Klein was one of my favorite teachers. Not because he was the easiest, but precisely because he wasn’t. Never mean, but always clear that his standards were high. Praise wasn’t given – it was earned. So, should you be fortunate enough to receive it, you knew you had something of value. Thank you, Mr. Klein, for your commitment to excellence and to your students. My condolences to the family. Best wishes, Julie Bulthaus – Class of 1995
Roland Klein was an extraordinary teacher and a wonderful man. He challenged his students to think critically and see issues from multiple perspectives. I vividly remember studying the causes of the Civil War in his class. One day, he would passionately defend one interpretation, and the next, he would argue just as convincingly for a completely different point of view. His Socratic approach to teaching made his classes engaging and rigorous. He was a true intellectual who inspired us to appreciate great art, the value of travel, and lifelong learning.
For my sixteenth birthday, my parents said I could invite anyone I wanted to join us for a celebratory dinner at Tony’s. I asked Mr. Klein, and he graciously accepted. That dinner was the beginning of a long friendship between him and my family. I will be forever grateful for him.
He inspired me to grow. He was one in. Million. He will be missed