1931 – 2016

AUBURN — Klaus D. Kuck, M.D., of Lewiston died Monday, Nov. 14, at Androscoggin Hospice House from Myelo Dysplasia Syndrom (MDS), which he fought for almost four years. Klaus was at peace with his maker, having lived a long and loving life of 85 years. His wife was by his side.

Klaus was born in Neumarkt/Silesia, Germany, on April 30, 1931, to Minister Rudolf Eduard and Luise Adelhard (Ottilige) Kuck. Klaus studied for many years to become a general surgeon. Klaus left communist East Germany for the West in 1958. He arrived in the United States, moving to Kansas City, Mo., working at St. Mary’s hospital under his sponsor Dr. Wallace Graham, who was President Truman’s personal physician. President Truman personally met with Klaus and enabled him to remain in America and obtain his citizenship.

Klaus married, and in 1960, his twin sons, Hans and Wernher, were born. He was very proud of them.

Klaus and Muriel (Goss) were married in 1967. In January 1969, they moved to Maine with Muriel’s daughter, Cindy.

Klaus became a naturalized citizen in 1971 of which he was extremely proud. Klaus encouraged others to vote, and he enjoyed exercising his freedom of speech by writing letters to the editor.

Klaus was a respected surgeon at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center and Central Maine Medical Center, retiring in 2012. He thoroughly enjoyed working with, knowing and joking with the many doctors, nurses and staff members with whom he shared his career.

Klaus is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Muriel; his twin sons, Hans and Wernher of California; his stepdaughter, Cindy and her husband, Gary Caron; and his step-grandchildren, Nicholas, Adrian, twins, Zachary and Erika, Gregory and Rebecca.

His family would like to thank the staff at the St. Mary’s Infusion Center and Androscoggin Hospice House for their loving care of Klaus.

R.I.P.