Baton Rouge, LA - Milton Haynes Kleinpeter was born in Baton Rouge, LA on September 25th, 1931, as the fifth of seven children to Louis and Fannye Haynes Kleinpeter, was reared in the Church of God and Christ and began his early education in local Christian schools. Educated in the public schools of Baton Rouge, he graduated from McKinley High School in the class of 1950 and continued his education at Southern University. Before graduating from high school, he began learning the trade of a brick mason. He continued to work with in the summers as a brick mason, while at Southern. Additionally, he continued his broaden his faith by becoming a member of Progressive Baptist Church under Reverend Walker Thomas. He received an educational deferment after being drafted into the United States Army for 4 years to complete his Bachelor of Arts in Education at Southern. His service in the army began with basic training and resulted in postings throughout the United States as a personnel specialist, while supporting the Korean Conflict. After completion of his military service, he received an honorable discharge with a Good Conduct Medal.

Upon returning to Louisiana, he began his career in education as a teacher in various parishes where he remained for several years. While in Lafayette, he met Eva Bonnett and they were married in 1961, beginning their life together in Baton Rouge. He continued his education at various institutions including Larmar University, SUNY, LSU and Southern University, earning a master's in education and 30 hours above the master's degree. He subsequently attended Kansas State University, where he and Eva were the first husband and wife team with 3 children in the United States to simultaneously complete their Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Education, highlighted by a feature article in the local Manhattan Kansas newspaper.

Upon his return to Louisiana, he began working in the College of Education at Southern University, where he worked with graduate students in the department to achieve advanced degrees and secure jobs after graduation or further advanced training. Over the years at Southern, he worked with many teams to obtain grants and additional funding in support of the students and programs at Southern. He served on many university committees and grants over the years including dedicated service as a University Marshall at graduation. As a member of the team that secured a federal education grant with the US Department of State supporting the general educational programs for Jamaican Department of Education, as well as programs supporting teacher education. He traveled to the island several times over the grant period to support educational training program of the grant. As an ardent Southern University Athletics supporter, he attended local and away games in all sports over the years.

As a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, he participated in many community service projects, supporting the goals and mission of the fraternity and served as a mentor to many young brothers at Southern.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Dr. Eva Bonnet Kleinpeter, his children Dr. Myra A. Kleinpeter (New Orleans), Milton, H. Kleinpeter, Jr. (Prairieville) and Milowe A. Kleinpeter (Baton Rouge), granddaughter Maya A. Kleinpeter, JD, (Prairieville), nieces Fannye P. Wiltz (Jeanerette), Reverend Freida K. Brown (Baton Rouge), Dr. Lisa Green (Chicago), Patricia Dunbar (Houston), nephew Louis Steven Green (Chicago), and cousins Julius Kleinpeter (Baton Rouge), Johnnie Hayes (Baton Rouge), a host of cousins, nieces and nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Fannye Kleinpeter, brothers Louis (Bernice) Kleinpeter, Joseph Kleinpeter, Gene Kleinpeter, sisters Marion Pierre, Freida (Willie) Green, Ida Leon Kleinpeter and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

As an ardent supporter of Southern University, the family ask that in lieu of flowers, please support the Southern University Foundation through the Dr. Milton H. Kleinpeter Endowed Professorship in the College of Education and/or the Kleinpeter Scholarship.