NORTH KINGSTOWN - Eric G. Klos, passed away peacefully at home with his beloved wife, Kathleen M. Beck, at his side, on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at the age of 74. Born in Martinsburg, West Virginia, he was a son of the late Frank W. Klos Jr. and Sarah E. (Wolfe) Klos.

In 2016, Eric was predeceased by his spouse of over 30 years, Mary F. “Mimi” Fox, for whom he lovingly cared for. Eric loved each of his step-children in a very unique way and leaves behind Chris Brown (Samira Hakki), Fran Plaisted, Patrick Brown (predeceased), Kacie Allin, Alicia Pedersen (Ryan Pedersen) and Lauren Henry. Eric also experienced special closeness, humor and great fun in being the step-grandfather of Casey Brown, Amina Brown, Shannon Henry, Seanna Allin, Charles Allin, Colin Dingley, Noah Pedersen, Kyle Allin, Shaylee Pedersen and Cooper Pedersen (predeceasd).

Eric was the brother of Kathryn Rheel (James Rheel), Beverly Perry (Charles “Chuck” Perry, predeceased), and Thomas Klos (Karen Klos). Eric was dedicated and passionate about his family and maintained a close relationship with his siblings and their children. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

Eric earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from the University of Rhode Island (URI) in 1972. Early in his professional career he worked as a Research Associate at the Puerto Rico Nuclear Center, LaChalupa Mission, operated by the University of Puerto Rico, to utilize scientific diving and field work to study potential impacts of nuclear power plants.

Eric started his forty three-year career at the URI Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO) in July 1975 as a Research Specialist at the Marine Ecosystem Research Laboratory (MERL), a large experimental ecosystem facility. With Professor Candace Oviatt as manager of the facility, Eric served in the capacity of MERL Facility Director. At MERL Eric worked to design and fabricate the outdoor experiment facilities and to maintain the experiments, ensuring that they performed like the natural systems they were representing. Eric documented every design change with drawings, photographs and reports. He was focused on improving the science behind experimentation, and diligently maintained records; he also directed all MERL diving and field operations and acted as the liaison between research scientists and technical staff to meet the requirements of interdisciplinary research goals. Eric developed a method for recovering a large (1 Ton) relatively undisturbed benthic sample from Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound for on-shore experimentation in MERL tanks. Those operations were legendary adventures. Eric’s aim was to do the best science possible and then document it.

After 25 years, Eric was promoted to Coordinator/NBC/Facilities and Operations for the entire GSO Narragansett Bay Campus, and was responsible for the management of campus and physical plant operations and shop facilities, including the Maintenance Department, Equipment Development Lab, seawater labs, and diving and small boat facilities. Eric managed the oversight of special (and complex) projects, service contractors and lab re-design/re-modeling. In his role as Coordinator, Eric worked as an engineer, a scientist, and an artist. As a supervisor, Eric enjoyed his staff, joining them for coffee breaks at 10am and 2pm, and hosted frequent cookout lunches. Throughout his career he managed his teams of scientists, technicians and students with a light touch and formed lasting friendships. From the earliest days of MERL and throughout the Facility years, Eric likely employed more undergraduate student assistants than the rest of the campus combined. Working with students, watching them mature and develop skills, and learning from them, was to Eric one of his most rewarding and lasting contributions.

Eric’s love of science and the oceans was seen in not only his work but also in his passion for photography, scuba diving, snorkeling, and jellyfish. In May 2004, Eric traveled to Croatia to join a group of fourteen international scientists - all specialists in jellyfish - to serve as diving supervisor for the American diving team. He improvised underwater equipment to allow scientists to photograph and video the movement of the jellyfish.

In addition to receiving National Association of Underwater Instructors certification with its commitment to "Dive Safety Through Education," Eric logged over 1,500 dives, was a thirty-year member of the URI-GSO Diving Control Board, served as an interim URI-GSO Diving Safety Officer, and performed the role of Diving Supervisor for numerous research diving operations.

Eric was a passionate naturalist and photographer, and he found joy in capturing the beauty of the world around him. Besides photography, Eric immersed himself in watercolors, drawing (the ultimate #2 pencil) and multimedia. He was fascinated by sharks, the exploration of historic and prehistoric Rhode Island stone sites as they relate to indigenous North American civilizations, purposeful tools, geological formations, data, travel, moonflowers, Hawaiian shirts, shells, history, water birds and osprey, and the benefits and beauty of TaiChi. Eric was inducted into the University of Rhode Island Lifetime Service Society in recognition of his 43 years of dedicated service to the University and was a member of the Newport Photo Guild and the Wickford Art Association.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Celebration of Eric's Life at 1 pm on Nov. 2, 2024 in South Ferry Church, 170 South Ferry Rd., Saunderstown, RI 02874. A reception will follow at the Mosby Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Atlantic Shark Institute or the Wickford Art Association.

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