Marvin Klegman (c. 1938 – April 13, 1949) was a member of the
school safety patrol at Lowell Elementary School in
Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma ( ) is the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. A port city, it is situated along Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, Washington, Olympia, and northwest of Mount ...
who was killed during the
1949 Olympia earthquake
The 1949 Olympia earthquake occurred on April 13 at with a moment magnitude of 6.7 and a maximum Mercalli Intensity of VIII (''Severe''). The shock was located in the area between Olympia and Tacoma, and was felt throughout the state, as well ...
. He is locally celebrated for his actions during the disaster.
Early life and education
Klegman was born in 1938 to Sam and Thelma Klegman. He was a
Cub Scout
Cub Scouts, Cubs or Wolf Cubs are programs associated with Scouting for young children usually between 7 and 12, depending on the organization to which they belong. A participant in the program is called a Cub. A group of Cubs is called a 'P ...
and a
newspaper delivery boy for the ''
Tacoma News Tribune
''The News Tribune'' is an American daily newspaper based in Tacoma, Washington. It is the second-largest daily newspaper in the state of Washington with a weekday circulation of 30,945 in 2020. With origins dating back to 1883, the newspaper w ...
''. In this latter capacity he had won a bicycle for selling the most newspaper subscriptions. By 1949, at the age of 11, he was a volunteer on the
safety patrol
Junior safety patrol is a voluntary group of crossing guards involving older students helping younger students cross streets in elementary and middle schools across the United States. Both the Chicago Motor Club and the St. Paul Police starte ...
at Lowell Elementary, where he was enrolled in the
sixth grade
Sixth grade (or grade six in some regions) is the sixth year of schooling. Students are typically 11–12 years old, depending on when their birthday occurs. Different terms and numbers are used in other parts of the world. It is commonly the firs ...
.
Olympia earthquake and death
On the day of his death, Klegman had been assigned to noon safety patrol duty. He was responsible for ensuring younger students walking home during lunch safely crossed the street. According to witnesses, Klegman left class for patrol at 11:50 a.m. on April 13, five minutes before the earthquake struck. As the temblor began, Klegman shouted to Myrna Phelps, a second grader who was standing in the school yard, "Stop where you are! Stay there!"
Phelps, who was about to run inside the building, froze in position. Phelps has credited Klegman's order for her to remain in the relative safety of the school yard with saving her life. Klegman then rushed inside the building to find
kindergarten
Kindergarten is a preschool educational approach based on playing, singing, practical activities such as drawing, and social interaction as part of the transition from home to school. Such institutions were originally made in the late 18th cent ...
student Kelcy Robert Allen alone in a hallway. Klegman grabbed Allen by the hand and led him outside as the building began to crumble. Unable to make it clear of the structure, Klegman shielded Allen with his body and was killed by falling bricks. Allen, though injured, made a full recovery.
Klegman was interred at Home of Peace cemetery in
Lakewood, Washington
Lakewood is a city in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 63,612 at the 2020 census.
History
Lakewood was officially incorporated on February 28, 1996. Historical names include Tacoma/Lakewood Center and Lakes Distric ...
on April 15, 1949. The Lowell Elementary School safety patrol provided a cordon of honor during the funeral.
Legacy
* The Mount Rainier chapter of the
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross (ARC), also known as the American National Red Cross, is a non-profit humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and disaster preparedness education in the United States. It is the desi ...
sponsors the Marvin Klegman award, an annual recognition given to a resident of
Pierce County, Washington
Pierce County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 921,130, up from 795,225 in 2010, making it the second-most populous county in Washington, behind King County, and the 60th-most populous ...
who engages in an act of heroism.
* A statue, installed in 2003 on the grounds of the rebuilt Lowell Elementary School, shows Klegman leading Allen from the school building while looking skyward at the moment the school's chimney begins to collapse on him.
* April 13, the day of Klegman's death, is observed as Marvin Klegman Day in Tacoma. A commemorative assembly is annually held at Lowell Elementary School on this date.
See also
*
Tacoma Public Schools
Tacoma School District No. 10, commonly called Tacoma Public Schools, is a school district headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, United States. Composed of 35 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, 10 high schools, and 4 early learning centers. It ...
*
Washington Medal of Valor
The Washington Medal of Valor is one of three statutory civilian awards and decorations issued by the state of Washington, the others being the Washington Medal of Merit and the Washington Gift of Life Award (the state also issues the Washingto ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Klegman, Marvin
1949 deaths
People from Tacoma, Washington
1938 births