Dr. Edgar Klugman

Dr. Edgar Klugman passed on peacefully February 11, 2024 at the stellar age of 98.5. He was born Edgar Siegfried Klugmann on September 13, 1925 to David & Hermina and was welcomed by his older brother, Werner. Ed spent his early years in Nuremberg, Germany until he fled the Nazi regime on one of the last Kindertransport cars. As a teen, Ed was able to enter the United States and was reunited with his family in New York. Three days after graduating high school, he enrolled in the United States Army where he spent most of his time as an interrogator in Italy and Austria. After the War, Ed returned to New York where he earned his bachelor's and master’s degrees in elementary education and principalship as well as a doctorate from Columbia University. In college, he met Hertha Anne Slavson and they married.

Ed and Hertha both worked in education and spent some time in Afghanistan where Ed worked as a methods and materials specialist for the Department of Education. Upon returning in 1958, they began a family – welcoming Kerri and Tamara. Eventually, they moved to Newton, MA and Ed began teaching at Wheelock College, now part of Boston University. His classes focused on early childhood education, policy and play. He helped to establish state laws and national organizations dedicated to supporting our young children and their families. As a professor emeritus, Ed co-founded Playing for Keeps. He continued to advocate for children, intergenerational play, global healing and peace – publishing a Global Healing curriculum at the age of 97.

One of the things Ed treasured the most was playing with his own family which includes his son-in-law, Richard Carl Robertson, grandchildren Takara Lee Klugman married to William Mead and their baby, Zaharah Luna; Aubrey Anne Robertson and her partner Matt; Hannah Kia Robertson and her partner, Josh; and Chenoa Marie Klugman-Fitzgerald married to JT. Ed created many memories with his beloved nieces, nephews and their families as well as his companion, Lynn Wetreich.

Ed was known as Edgar Siegfried Klugmann, Schlomo Ben David and Edgar Keen, but better known as Baba, Pa, Dad and Eddie. How did you know him?

Ed was a lifelong learner and teacher, a storyteller, and gatherer who believed in the power of play. He was a visionary and connector. He was resilient and a reconciler. Ed turned grief into kindness and promoted peace and healing. His bountiful seeds of love and eternal energy will continue to bless our world.

Check back for information regarding the memorial that the family will hold at Wheelock College in the Spring or Summer.

Donations may be made in Ed’s memory to: BU-Wheelock School of Education and Human Development (https://www.bu.edu/wheelock/), Havurat Shalom Congregation (https://www.thehav.org/), NAEYC (https://www.naeyc.org/) or YES! Magazine (https://www.yesmagazine.org/)