Theodore Kloos (Ted) peacefully went to join the heavenly choirs on Wednesday, March 6th after a difficult and lengthy battle with Parkinson Disease with his loving family by his side. He was 78.

Ted graduated from Frankford High School in 1952 where his love of music and the organ were deeply instilled in him. He went on to major in music and minor in History at Temple University and graduated from there in 1956. Thus became the wonderful and magical gift of music that followed him throughout his career.

Ted’s first teaching job was in the Conshohocken School District. He taught there from 1956 until 1963. Neshaminy came looking for Ted. They needed someone to bolster their music program and had heard of the magic he was bringing to the students under his current tutelage. He was honored and began his new adventure in September, 1963.

He was a man who had a dream and his dream had just become a reality. Under his love and guidance, a music program like Neshaminy had never known before, burst forth with song and theater. He founded the music program as we know it today. Concert Choir was created and is still to this day enlightening our ears with the glorious sounds that have echoed through the auditorium for fifty years. Ted took the choir on exchange programs to Florida, Canada, California and Germany where lasting relationships still exist today.

He introduced theater and brought his love of this venue to thousands of students. He founded the Summer Stock Program where students could learn all aspects of theater and this still is in existence today giving future thespians a taste of the joy of show business. He was always on a quest for opportunities for his students. Some of these “Kloos ’ ideas led the students to perform on the stage of the Academy of Music with the German Choir from Bad Ems Germany. He was so thrilled to wear his tuxedo and conduct on the very stage that the Philadelphia Orchestra had played under the leadership of Eugene Ormandy.

Another one of his desires was to work with Ray Conniff. He wanted to bring him to Langhorne to work with his kids. He too made this a happening and the kids got to work with a Hollywood recording artist who thought that the Neshaminy Choir were like little pros. Television appearances on the Mike Douglas Show and Captain Noah gave even more exposure to his beloved choir.

Ted, also, loved church music and his church. While in college, he played the organ at Eddington Presbyterian Church. He then became choral director at the Conshohocken Methodist Church where he and Arlene were leaders in the Youth Group. His final assignment was at the First Presbyterian Church in Levittown which began in 1968. He was Minister of Music there and loved his choir. His Church family meant the world to him and he was so proud to be a part of them.

His creativity, musical genius and inspirations nurtured his talent for composing. He was recognized for This and has, as a reward, published works. He wrote many choral arrangements which were sung by his church choir throughout the years. He also had the theater bug as everyone knows. Together with Paul Hofreiter, a former student and dear friend, the show, CROSSING, was written and performed at the Washington Crossing Open Air Theater. It was enthusiastically received. He also was invited to give other shows at this theater using his Neshaminy connections and did so for many summers.

Ted loved many things. He was an avid train lover especially the old steam engines. He also loved going to the theater for shows but was equally fond of classical music. Every Saturday he would listen to the opera and was in his glory as he did. He shared the love of dog showing with his wife and was so thrilled with all their accomplishments. One of the things dearest to Ted was his cabin in Caledonia “Harmony Hill”. He loved to go there to embrace the beauty of nature and enjoy the peacefulness of the pine trees that encircled his little piece of heaven. Most of all though, he loved teaching. The students that passed through the music programs at Neshaminy were his pride and joy. Their successes touched his heart deeply and he was so very proud of them.

He is survived by his wife, Arlene, of 53 years, his children, Jennifer Clayton (Robert), Kyle (Sandi), David (Nicole), Amy Trapani (Tony) and Matthew (Katrina). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Carl, Alexa, Devon, Amanda, T.J., Alexandria and Grace.

Ted will be remembered for his kind and gentle ways. He was a man that truly found good in all that he met and encouraged each and everyone to be proud of who they were. He saw the uniqueness in all and embraced them with love and joy. He is now cradled in the arms of the Lord and rejoicing with all the others who have gone before him. His legacy will live on in all those that he touched.