Karl William Klages

Karl William Klages, 93, was born in Brookings, SD on September 28, 1930 and died in Spokane, WA at his home of 54 years on July 8, 2024.  Karl was the son of Dr. Karl H. W. Klages, former head of the University of Idaho Agronomy Department, and Louise Hutchins Klages, teacher and native of Oklahoma.

Karl moved with his parents to Moscow, ID in 1936 where in his early years Karl hand-delivered Moscow’s Daily Idahoan newspaper on foot and bicycle.  He graduated from Moscow High School (1948) and earned a BA in Journalism from University of Idaho in 1952.  He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and was assistant to then-Sports Information Director Ken Hunter.  He served as sports editor of UI student publications Argonaut and Gem of the Mountains.  Karl joined the US Air Force ROTC at UI and finished those requirements at Washington State University, which he attended for grad school.  During his year at WSU, Karl provided commentary for sports broadcasts of Keith Jackson.

On August 22, 1953, Karl married Sheila Ann Janssen of Moscow (daughter of then-Dean of UI College of Engineering, Allen Janssen and Ada Janssen) at the First Presbyterian Church in the presence of a standing-room-only crowd!  This coming August would have marked Karl and Shiela’s 71st anniversary.  The wedding reception was held at the home of the UI president, Jesse (Leah) Buchanan.

Karl then entered the Air Force, and he and Sheila spent two years in San Antonio, TX, where Karl was stationed at Lackland AFB.  During these two years, he also broadcast football games for Trinity University.  Upon discharge from the Air Force, he became news director of KVOS radio/TV in Bellingham, WA for two years.  In 1957 Karl became the first Sports Information Director at Utah State University in Logan, UT.  There, he also broadcast play-by-play for Utah State athletics and was a journalism instructor.  In 1963, Karl was named “Outstanding Sports Announcer in the State of Utah” by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.  Also while at Utah State, he earned an MS in Speech (1961) and self-published and sold his hardcover book (with a jacket), Sportscasting (1963).

In 1964, Karl became only the second Sports Information Director at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN and was also radio play-by-play announcer for the Boilermakers.  Karl publicized many all-American athletes at both universities including Merlin Olsen, Wayne Estes, Bob Griese, and Rick Mount.  Purdue’s football team won the 1967 Rose Bowl game, beating USC by one point.  Purdue basketball lost to UCLA (and then-Lew Alcindor) at the 1969 NCAA BKB finals.  Karl worked with other Outstanding Coaches Jack Mollenkopf, John Ralston, LaDell Anderson, and George King.  Karl and his family attended the Indy 500 auto race each year while living at Purdue, witnessing Mario Andretti’s only win.

Karl and Sheila moved to Spokane, WA to enter private business in 1970.  Karl ran in the Bloomsday Races several times, including the very first one ever held.  He enjoyed antiques, circus and advertising memorabilia, and other signage.  Karl’s puns and jokes were legendary, helped along by Bruce and Margery McIntosh, Bruce and Eleanor Budge, Judd Kenworthy, Stan Soderberg, and Stan Riggers.  Other special neighbors and friends include the UI College of Engineering, Don and Janet Baden, Zoe Harris, Connie Ramsey, Patricia and Keith Campbell, and Don Mittlestadt.

Karl is survived by his wife of over 70 years, Sheila; sons Jeffrey W. Klages (Diana) of Reno, NV and Andrew A. Klages (Alice) of College Park, MD; granddaughters Julianne Stromberg (Craig) of Cleveland, OH and Jaynie Klages of Reno, NV; great-granddaughters Abbey Stromberg and Sadie Stromberg; and brother-in-law Alfred E. Janssen of Fremont, CA.

Short’s Funeral Chapel in Moscow, ID is in charge of arrangements.  At Karl’s request, there will be no services held, and he will be buried in Moscow Cemetery.  Condolences can be shared at www.shortsfuneralchapel.com and those who wish to honor Karl can do so by supporting the Allen S. Janssen Engineering Scholarship Fund or the Vandal Scholarship Fund through the University of Idaho Foundation, the Warren H. Brown McCall Ski Hill Endowment through the Idaho Community Foundation, the Scott Chandler Memorial at Idaho Public Television in Boise, or any animal shelter.