Ralph Klein - Early Years

Early Years

Klein was born in Calgary to Phillip Andrew Klein (born September 29, 1917) and Florence Harper (1924–2004). His parents separated when he was 6 and he lived with his maternal grandparents in the city's northend. Remarried twice, Gray died in 2004. Klein grew up in a working class part of Calgary and dropped out of high school. He joined the RCAF reserves. Completing high school later in life, Klein attended Calgary Business College, and later served as president of that institution. He later studied at Athabasca University. He was public relations official at Red Cross and United Way's offices in Calgary from 1963 to 1969. From 1969 to 1980 he was a television reporter.