ERIC VON KLINGER, 1946

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V16 2013 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 16, Number 37, September 8, 2013, Article 8

ERIC VON KLINGER, 1946 - 2013

I regret to inform everyone of the death of my friend Eric Von Klinger on August 22, 2013. Eric was CWTS member #0896, a charter subscriber to Coin World in 1960, and spent many years writing for that publication with the 'Readers Ask' column. He assisted me on the Literary Awards committee for the CWTS.

I used to look forward to seeing Eric at the ANA every year. When he came down with cancer he ended up selling most of his collections as well as his numismatic literature. As the cancer went into remission, he regretted selling his books the most. He came to Maine 2 years ago and was in fine health at the time. We went to Acadia National Park as well as some of the ports where he enjoyed seeing the old 'windjammer' sailboats.

Eric was a wealth of information and a real nice guy. I feel honored to be considered one of his friends.

I'm very sorry to hear the news. Eric was a longtime E-Sylum regular. He will be missed. The above image was provided by Jud - it's Eric at Acadia National Park. With permission, below is a reprint of an article by Jeff Starck in the September 16, 2013 issue of Coin World. Many thanks to Steve Roach for the OK, and to Jud Petrie and Larry Dziubek (for forwarding the news from Jud). -Editor

Former Coin World staff writer Eric J. von Klinger died Aug. 22 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Born Oct. 8, 1946, in Wilmington, Ohio, Mr. von Klinger was the son of World War II veteran Joseph von Klinger, a pharmacist and lawyer, and Louise Valla von Klinger Kircher, a homemaker, both of whom preceded him in death.

Mr. von Klinger, an expert and researcher in error coins, authored the Collectors’ Clearinghouse and Readers Ask columns during much of his six years on staff, from early 2002 to mid-2008.

Prior to joining Coin World, Mr. von Klinger served in writing and editing positions at daily newspapers in Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah and West Virginia. He was also a veteran numismatic journalist. From 1993 to 1996 he served as an associate editor for Numismatic News and as a writer for Coins magazine.

While growing up in Wilmington, Ohio, he got his first exposure to numismatics. When the Lincoln, Lincoln Memorial cent was first released in 1959, Mr. von Klinger’s seventh-grade science teacher brought a roll of the newly minted coins to the classroom, giving a cent to each student. An intrigued von Klinger remembered that his father had a bag of old coins, and he began examining those coins, beginning a lifelong hobby.

His interests grew to encompass nearly every area of United States coins, early American coppers and tokens, as well as world coins.

Mr. von Klinger was a charter subscriber to Coin World, which was first published in April 1960.

Mr. von Klinger earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Miami University of Ohio, where he also pursued graduate studies in English.

He was a member of the American Numismatic Association, Civil War Token Society, and Token and Medal Society.

He is survived by two nephews, Mike (Jenny) Smuland and Matt (Phyllis) Smuland, and former wife Shawnee (Mark) Culbertson.

A private graveside service was held at Sugar Grove Cemetery in Wilmington, Ohio.

Wayne Homren, Editor