Matthias H. Klapp

Klapp, Matthias H. GUILDERLAND Matthias (Matt) H. Klapp, 90 of Guilderland, died Thursday, December 9, 2010 in Venice, FL with his loving wife and two children at his side.

Born in Albany on June 3, 1920, he was the son of the late Matthias and Edna Lotz Klapp. Matt was a US Army Veteran of World War II serving in the North African and Italian campaigns. After the war he had a successful 40 year career as an engineer with the New York Telephone Company. His passion was amateur radio and using his call letters "W2EQV" he spoke to numerous radio contacts all over the world. He was very active in the community and a member of the American Legion, Guilderland Elks, Fraternal Order of Masons, Telephone Pioneers, Albany and Tamiami Amateur Radio Clubs (president 2006-07) and the oldest member of the Evangelical Protestant Church. Matt was an avid Cleveland Browns, St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Celtics fan. He took up roller skating at age 70 where he met his wife and was an active skater into his 80's.

He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Rosemary Klapp and two children, Patricia (Peter) Atwell and Kenneth (Rosemarie) Klapp. He cherished his four grandchildren, Katie and Josh Atwell and Kyle and Erik Klapp. He is also survived by two nephews, Keith (Sue) Klapp and Paul (Gwen) Klapp. He was predeceased by his first wife, Thelma R. Klapp and his second wife Sylvia B. Klapp and his brother Fredrick Klapp.

Relatives and friends may call at the Newcomer-Cannon Funeral Home Tuesday evening from 4:00 p.m.to 7:00 p.m. Funeral will be Wednesday at the funeral home at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to Special Olympics, Attn: Donations, 504 Balltown Rd., Schenectady, NY 12304 or Tidewell Hospice, Philanthropy Department, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.NewcomerAlbany.com