A bomber pilot, a doctor, a philanthropist, a lawyer and a public relations expert will be inducted into the Holmes High School Hall of Honors this year.
The Hall was established in 2000 to honor distinguished graduates and/or friends of Covington Schools for their achievements and contributions to society.
The winners will be recognized during the Hall of Honors event at 6 p.m., June 14, at the Drees Pavilion.
In the days leading up to the event, the Tribune will recognize each of the Covington Education Hall of Honors winners with a profile of accomplishments and contributions.
Hall of Distinction Inductee John H. Klette Jr.
Although many people consider 65 a reasonable retirement age, John H. Klette Jr. allowed his 65th year to slip past without any special “Gone Fishing” ceremony 34 years ago.
Midway through his 99th year, Klette still practices law with the Ft. Mitchell law firm of Klette, Klette and Mauntel some 81 years after he graduated from Holmes High School after three years in 1936 and then continued his studies at the University of Cincinnati and Salmon P. Chase College of Law in Northern Kentucky.
Up until about 25 years ago, the law firm that had been founded in about 1910 by his father, John H. Klette Sr., had been located on Third Street in Covington.
Klette’s legal career, which began in 1942, was interrupted twice by wars.
He served with distinction in what was then the Army Air Corps during World War II, when he was the pilot of a bomber crew that received one of the country’s highest awards for heroism, the Silver Star, after completing a bombing run in Vienna, Austria, and shooting down a number of Nazi fighter planes. Klette flew 51 missions during World War II, joined the Air Force reserves and flew another 50 missions during the Korean War.
The 2017 Hall of Honors winners will be recognized during the celebration event at 6 p.m., June 14, at the Drees Pavilion. This will mark the first year for the Hall of Honors, which combines the Hall of Distinction and the Covington Education Foundation’s Person of the Year. The revamped event is designed to honor alumni, celebrate supporters of the school – all while raising funds to support the foundation’s efforts to help students succeed by providing scholarships, paying college fees and assisting with the district’s mentoring program. Ticket price $55 per person. Tables and advertisements are also available.
For information, sponsorship opportunities and ticket prices, click here or contact Janice Krumwiede at, Janice.krumwiede@covington.kyschools.us or 859 392-3182.
