Gordon Klang

Gordon Klang, 84, of Silver Spring, Maryland, passed away at home on November 11, 2025, after a long and well-lived life—one packed with family, adventure, and enough frequent-flier miles to make most people dizzy.

Born and raised in a traditional Jewish household in the Bronx, Gordon grew up alongside his brother Danny, where he honed his sharp New York wit and his love of music. In high school he played trombone in the orchestra, a passion he passed on to his four children—whether they wanted to practice or not. (In the end, they all did, and every one of them learned an instrument or found their voice in song.)

Gordon earned his business degree from City College of New York, where fate—and a shared subway line—introduced him to Germaine, a Hunter College student who would become his wife, best friend, and tireless travel companion. After graduating, they settled in Silver Spring and built a life in the home they would lovingly inhabit for more than 50 years.

Gordon’s long and successful federal career centered on personnel policy, but his favorite role involved working with representatives of foreign governments who came to learn about the U.S. civil service system. It was in this job that he discovered his great love for travel—a passion he embraced with enthusiasm and shared wholeheartedly with Germaine.

Together, they traveled the world, collecting passport stamps like souvenirs: the South Pacific, Hawaii, Australia, China, Japan, Russia, the Caribbean, Mexico, and nearly every country in Western Europe. They took more than 25 cruises—sailing through the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Alaska, and Scandinavia—and were always planning the next getaway. Gordon was never happier than when he had a trip on the calendar, and he took his last vacation just six months before he passed.

Gordon and Germaine raised their children with the same spirit of curiosity and adventure. They crisscrossed the United States and Canada in their trusty Winnebago, giving their kids the chance to see the natural wonders they themselves had never known growing up in New York City. Those early journeys sparked a love of nature in all four of their children—a love now proudly inherited by Gordon’s grandchildren.

Gordon is survived by Germaine, his devoted wife of 59 years; his four children, Matt, Jennifer, Nadine, and Judy; and his three beloved grandchildren, Tyler, Isaac, and Dalia. They—and all who knew him—will remember his humor, generosity, and boundless enthusiasm for discovering the world.

In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to the PJ Library (https://pjlibrary.org/home) or to the Montgomery County Humane Society (https://www.mchumane.org/)

Graveside Service to be held on November 24th at 11:30 am at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, MD.