David Alexander Kluger

With great sadness, we have lost our brave hero, Alex Kluger.

Alex was a tremendous, supportive, selfless and involved father to Milo, Mari, Kai and Isa. He was also a loving, nurturing and devoted husband to Lauren. Alex was a beloved son to Charlie and LaVonne Kluger, and Ava Rogers Grimswell. He dearly loved his brother Ben Kluger. And,
Alex was also a terrific Uncle to Libby and Chas Kluger, and Joshua Higuchi.

Alex’s passion for community service and love for others was palpable to all that knew and cared about him.

Alex spent 22 years in the fire service as a Firefighter Paramedic, and was awarded a Medal of Merit and was commended for his life saving efforts saving a young girl’s life. He was an enthusiastic mentor for all of his students with the Unified Fire Authority. Upon retirement in
April, he continued his love of community service by working for Gold Cross Ambulance as a Paramedic and training coordinator.

His wife Lauren and his children; Kai, Mari, Milo, and Isa describe him as endlessly happy, selfless, and kind, as well as the funniest and hardest working person they know. Alex was such a wonderfully kind, thoughtful and dedicated husband to Lauren. He knew her love
language was acts of service and his was words of affirmation, that made them an unbreakable partnership. Alex’s brother Ben has said “there was no better match for two people than Alex and Lauren.” Alex was also an incredible father. Alex and Lauren raised all of their four kids full
time and treated them as their own. When Lauren got cancer, Alex adopted Mari and Kai, in case of any emergency so the kids would never be separated. Alex called his family “the punk rock Brady Bunch” and that was a perfect descriptor. He respected each child’s individuality and rooted for each child to be their truest selves. He was an extremely protective father and husband and his family knew he would always have their backs. The family had a joke; everything anyone did was always, “the BEST ever!” If Lauren or the kids made anything, like a bowl of cereal or even made him a bagel with cream cheese; the family would joke about him saying “mmm, omg, this is the best _____ I’ve ever had, mmmm!” He was so complimentary to his family. He could also add levity to any situation, and he had the best laugh ever. The kids loved it. He would laugh this big laugh that it was contagious and was funny in itself that everyone around would laugh too. He was also a surrogate parent to any child. On the day of his death and the day after, over 50 friends of his children showed up to pay their respects to him. So many of them had stories about him teaching the how to; ride a bike, skateboard, snowboard, play the guitar or bass, mountain bike, play lacrosse, or mentor him as a father
figure. Over almost 18 years, the family took in 11 people. Many of the kids called him “Ant Man” because they all thought he looked like Paul Rudd, and rumor has it he attended Sundance to impersonate Paul Rudd. He may or may not have given autographs!

Alex was also an active member of the community he lived in and a tremendous citizen. He didn’t talk it, he walked it. Alex’s community activism from volunteering often and in meaningful ways such as; committing to important volunteer work at Bonnneville Elementary, helping out
in or favorite District 6 councilman-Charlie Luke’s campaign, helping out children’s ski programs, joining Lauren in coaching for the Boys & Girl’s Club, providing kids school trips to his fire station as well as Boy Scout tours. Alex also provided equipment for lacrosse, mountain biking club and East High Hockey to neighborhood children who didn’t have access to it as well as working behind the scenes to get kid’s scholarships to the very high cost of kid’s sports. Alex was very passionate that kid’s sports shouldn’t be classist and only for children who’s families have an extra few thousand dollars around for one sport. This was Alex’s innate sense of equality. He was very aware of the unspoken ways of unfairness. Alex was keenly aware of people who might have less power, and he championed equality. Alex’s family has seen and also heard this from coworkers, friends, and neighbors who’ve stopped by to pay their respects. Here is a quote from one of his dear friends who speaks for about three dozen
friends of his: “Alex was so proud to be an ally for minorities, anti-racist, a feminist, a champion for all children to have access to the same opportunities despite socioeconomic standing, and an ally for the LGBTQ+ community. He just supported this crazy thought that everyone should
have equal rights. He believed in love and joy and had such great compassion for his queer family and his friends who were categorized as any racial or religious minority. Alex was a true hero who demanded equality for all. He didn’t just say it, he practiced it.”

He healed so many around him, both on and off duty. He was empathetic, yet brave. The only thing bigger than his personality is his heart, and he will be dearly missed by so many.

Currently, the family has asked: Ben Kluger, Alex Rogerson, Clayton Conerly, Brandon Dodge and Curtis Grow to be liaisons for the family.

The Celebration of Life will be the following day after the funeral. It will take place at 12pm at Milly Chalet, at Brighton Ski Resort. He loved the $20 night skiing there and he loved his time stationed there. That day is Alex’s birthday. Let’s truly celebrate, and as he used to say; “make sure you put the “fun” in my funeral.” So let’s roll deep and give him a beautiful birthday that he will be touched by somewhere in this beautiful universe.

Any flowers sent, please call Twigs and speak to the owner and our friend, Raymond King.

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