Martin “Marty” Kling of Tacoma and Oak Harbor, Washington, passed away on February 7, 2023, after a long battle with frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Marty was born in 1942 to Suzanne and LeRoy Kling in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He survived childhood despite his numerous hijinks, including jumping out of the window of a third story classroom onto a tree limb, and accidentally shooting his brother, Steve, with a BB between the eyes during a pretend battle. Steve and sister Francy were sometimes his partners in crime, but Marty had an independent spirit, setting out as a kid for solo weekend “camping” trips where his only company was a rifle. Daredevil Marty still managed to graduate from Washington High School in Cedar Rapids and then college at the University of Iowa, but not before spending some time maturing at Wentworth Military Academy. He was a proud Hawkeye for the remainder of his life.

After college, Marty entered the VISTA program (now AmeriCorps) and served in roles within the corrections system in Chicago and Denver. In Denver, Marty met Mattie, who eventually became his wife and the mother of his only child, Molly. The couple moved out west to Washington State and in the early 1970s built a house in the woods in Gig Harbor. Marty moved to Tacoma when his marriage ended.

Marty taught for the Tacoma School District from the 1960s through the 1980s, teaching vocational courses or special education in various secondary schools. He enjoyed his students more than the administration and its rules, and was nicknamed “The Phantom” because of his tendency to slip out before the end of the school day at Lincoln High School. After retiring from teaching, Marty owned a small business dealing in vintage denim to be sold overseas, was one of the original partners that opened the Swiss Tavern, and provided handyman and carpentry services. He was a firm believer in handshake deals, which did not always serve him well in business.

Marty made the most of his life outside of work prior to falling ill. He was intensely creative and loved making and appreciating arts and crafts. He enjoyed antiques so much that he became a business partner in an antique store on Wollochet Bay. He made jewelry, including some wedding rings that are still worn to this day. Marty was also a talented craftsman and remodeled multiple homes in Tacoma—oftentimes taking them down to the studs. His favorite house was a Victorian on North Cushman Avenue, where he had backyard fire ring that he and his friends and family sat around like a campfire. Marty enjoyed racing and touring on motorcycles, snow and waterskiing, dogs, playing Frisbee, the Puget Sound, and especially hunting birds, a passion that started in his Iowa childhood. He was also a fixture at various watering holes around Tacoma, including Harbor Lights and the Engine House No. 9, before he quit drinking in the Aughts.

Marty lived with passion, whether it concerned art, friendships, building, romantic partners, or jobs. He was a complex man who burned more than one bridge but also had longstanding friendships. He was goofy and jovial, but also cynical and sometimes impatient. He was physically strong, but also very sensitive. Although he sometimes struggled with relationships, he was a wonderful father to daughter Molly.

Marty passed on some of his gift of discernment—regarding design, music, and even spotting eagles soaring or hawks diving in the midst of suburbia—to Molly, and always encouraged her creativity. He was a loving grandfather to Molly’s children, Beatrix and Thomas. His disease cheated them of spending more years with him, when he would have told them crazy stories from his childhood, taken Bea to the movies, and taught Tommy how to hunt.

After he was no longer able to live independently, Marty was fortunate to live with and receive care from his sister, Francy, in the Whidbey Island home built by their parents. Francy was what we all want in a sibling—devoted, patient, and so very kind with Marty as his health conditions stole his spirit. He eventually had to move to a memory care facility, but stayed on Whidbey to remain close to her.

Marty Kling is survived by daughter Molly Kling Crowley and grandchildren Beatrix and Thomas Crowley of Tacoma, brother Steven (Carla) Kling of Gulf Breeze, Florida, sister Frances Blumhagen of Coupeville, Washington, niece Ann Kling of Memphis, Tennessee, and ex-wife Mattie Kling of Tacoma. He was predeceased by parents LeRoy Kling and Suzanne Kling Tittle and nephew Peter Kling. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at HomePlace Special Care of Oak Harbor, who helped Marty in his final years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration or the Alzheimer’s Association. There will be a celebration of life in the spring of 2023, with details to be shared at a later date. 

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