Obituary
Franz M. Klimpacher, sadly passed away in Port Charlotte, FL, August 2, 2023 at the age of 83. Franz was born in Klagenfurt, Austria on July 2, 1940 to Franz and Elisabeth Klimpacher. He was the first of two boys from their union.
Franz attended primary and secondary school in Klagenfurt, Austria before setting out on a life journey, marked by curiosity and adventure. In a word, Franz was curious and his inquisitiveness and keen intellect drove all his pursuits. His passion was aviation-be it piloting gliders or planes or putting his skills to work maintaining, building, and restoring planes. Franz was driven. Aviation was his first love which he studied in New Jersey and his relentless curiosity led him to master the intricacies of each machine he encountered, demonstrating his dedication to understanding every aspect of flight; a well seasoned and accomplished Pilot.
Franz’s spiritual journey was marked by exploration and contemplation. Though he diverged from organized religion, he held on to the teachings of Christ, continuously seeking wisdom in his quest for spiritual understanding. Barely a man, in 1960, Franz felt the call of navigation and the urge to cross an ocean, so he set sail on a ship from Europe that docked in Buchanan, Liberia in 1961. Franz fell in love with the country, and its people; and adopted Liberia as his new home. It was there, a few years later, that he had his first child, Francien.
Franz became employed by the Liberian American Mining Company, (LAMCO), in the Railroad Department. He joined the Mining Department in February 1963, working as a Senior Foreman. In 1970 he was promoted to Production Senior Foreman, and served in this capacity until his appointment to Training and Safety Officer in October 1972. In this position Franz was responsible for administering and coordinating theoretical and practical training of heavy duty operators for the Mine Department, as well as taking full responsibility for the overall safety program for the department. During his years with LAMCO Franz spent a great deal of time with the LAMCO Nimba Aero Club, already a licensed flight instructor, he always dreamed of flying commercially.
A few years after being employed with LAMCO, Franz moved from Buchanan to Yekepa with LAMCO, met Serina Cooper; and the two were married in 1968. From that union came Franz, Nicole, Felix, and Matilda. Franz then moved to the capital city of Liberia, Monrovia, in 1978 to fly for a domestic airline, Air Liberia. While in Monrovia he had his last child, Musuleng.
In 1980, Liberia experienced political upheaval in the form of a military coup and Franz, like many others, fled the country for safety. He sought refuge in the United States, and lived in New Jersey for a number of years. Missing the warmer climate, Franz moved to Fort Lauderdale, where he remained for a few years, however, in 1990 his passion for aviation, made him return to Monrovia, Liberia to once again fly for Air Liberia. Unfortunately, after only a few months of being in Liberia, a second coup occurred forcing many to again flee the country. Franz fled to Sierra Leone, where he remained for a year and a half, waiting for stability to return to Liberia. When that didn’t seem likely, he packed his bags once again and returned to Florida, which he made his permanent home.
Franz was determined to succeed so with his intellect, radiant enthusiasm and optimistic energy, Franz set about building a new life for himself. He began working for an aviation company in Florida, purchasing airplanes from Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. He then worked for Analysts, Inc., an oil analysis company based in California, but still lived in Florida. He became a regional sales manager with that company. In 1994 Franz moved to Hollywood, Florida and worked for Gulf Components as a broker, trading electronic components for the German speaking market. In 1997 he worked for Electronic Equipment Production and Development GmbH (EEPD), a company manufacturing industrial computers based in Germany.
In 2004, Franz moved to the west coast of Florida where he retired. The unquestionable attractiveness of the sea once again beckoned to him, and he became a member of Sailing Singles of South Florida. Although he loved sailing, he truly yearned for flying; thus, he spent countless hours indulging in his cherished hobby, the flight simulator. Captain Franz would don his pilot’s hat and fly different routes all over the world. He would install hundreds of different airplanes and scenery, changing the weather conditions to keep sharp on his flying skills.
Franz was predeceased by his brother, Horst, in 1966, his mother, Elisabeth in 2011, and his father, Franz, in 2018.
Franz is survived by his daughter, Francien Klimpacher Nyenatee, her husband, Mahnsan Nyenatee and grandchildren, Mikeal Adjei Annan and Matenneh Kanneh; his son; Franz Klimpacher, his wife, Navis Klimpacher, and grandchildren, Franciene Klimpacher, Franz Klimpacher, and Noah Klimpacher; his daughter, Nicole Klimpacher Boston, her husband, Michael Boston, and grandchildren, Quenleigh Stewart and Marleigh Boston; his son, Felix Klimpacher, his fiancée Catherine Umerah, and grandchildren, Felicia Klimpacher, and Karson Klimpacher; his daughter, Musuleng, Klimpacher Padmore, her husband, Edwin Padmore, and grandchildren, Madison Padmore and Juergen Padmore; his daughter, Matilda Hayek Klimpacher, and grandchildren, Kamile McCrae and Charley Strickland, and his dearest and best friend, Elisabeth Billings.
Franz’s brilliance illuminated not only his own life but the lives of those fortunate enough to know him. His legacy will live on through his children, their families, and his dear friends. His inquisitiveness, dedication to adventure, and spiritual exploration will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.
May his soul rest in everlasting peace.
A Celebration of Life will be held on August 25th , 2023 at 10:00 am at Baldwin Brothers Funeral and Cremation Society, 1100 El Jobean Rd. Suite 104, Port Charlotte, FL 33948; followed by a private ceremony releasing his ashes into the ocean, per his request, at 12:00 pm.
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