Claes is kind. Claes is gone.

Bob Arno writes about his brother. Bambi interrupts.
Claes Munthe
Claes in July 2014

Over the years I have written about my mentors, my old friends who have had a significant impact on my career, as well as a few obituaries — friends who were taken from us way too early. Writing about mentors is not hard, just go back in time and analyze why they were unique and how they extended themselves and helped a young inexperienced entertainer.

But today I have a far more personal challenge, in the midst of my sorrow for the loss of my own brother. He passed away about ten days ago, at age seventy. That’s far too early for a Swedish man who lived healthy, never excessive, and always in great trim shape.

Bambi: It was only two summers ago that he lifted tall Frida from the ground when she hurt her ankle on a trampoline in Arizona, and carried her like a baby a long distance to a sofa. He carried her as if she weighed nothing. In retrospect, we know that Claes was already ill, though none of us knew it. But he was still strong as an ox!

How does one explain the random selection of cancer victims? In my work I am obsessed with pattern recognition and the logic of why some people become victims (to criminals)—it’s all very neat and clear when looking at the bigger picture. But cancer can strike anyone, young or old, with little warning, as was the case with my brother. A little over a year ago he noticed he couldn’t quite swallow food as easily as before. He suspected some sort a throat infection. In September 2013 the tests came in: advanced esophageal cancer, located at the bottom of the esophagus, as well as smaller tumors in the stomach. No option to operate, only chemo therapy remained.

The doctors gave him a year, at best, and that is exactly what he got. In this year he never gave up, never resigned, but knew deep down that it was probably hopeless. He prepared as most cancer patients do for the inevitable. The legal documents, the transfer of properties, the farewell parties with his closest friends. Nobody around him suspected the rapid deterioration. Yes, his weight became an obvious red flag, but he did not look gaunt, and his face had the same round, filled-out cheeks as before. When he was in a good mood, nobody could possibly suspect that we all counted days and weeks.

My brother, Claes, lived in Sweden, where end-of-life health care is exemplary and caring. Every evening a nurse came by and hooked Claes to a drip tube, connected to a port in his upper chest close to his neck. During the night he would then receive about a liter of a milky nutritious fluid, while sleeping. Every morning the nurse returned and disconnected the tube. No, it was not good “quality of life,” since he could barely eat anything at all for close to a year. Always nauseous, and during the last six months of his life steadily more in pain, as the tumors grew and pressed against spine and sensitive nerve centers. Strong doses of morphine only sometimes helped.

Claes Munthe
Claes—so often laughing

So why did he maintain the illusion that maybe there was still hope for a new miracle drug? Stronger men at age 69-71 might have said “I had a good life, enough is enough, let’s not pretend anymore.” But Claes enjoyed every minute he had on the telephone with his friends, with me and my wife, and simply living another day. For 365 days when I couldn’t be with Claes, I called him daily for about an hour. We stayed with him whenever we could and behaved like we always did. Sat around the dining table and joked around, talked over current events, old anecdotes, and memories. There were lots of those and lots of laughter.

Bambi: Like that utterly believable postcard Claes sent us from Naples, pretending to be a gang of thieves thanking us for visiting Naples, and complimenting the film National Geographic made about us and them. It was brilliant, the way he mixed a little Italian in with poor English. Did Claes, with his love of all things Italian, and his reverence for the ultimate practical joke, travel to Naples just to send that postcard? It would be just like him…

But I never brought up the obvious: what do we do for Claes’s funeral, who should attend, how should we deal with this or with that? We both pushed aside the inevitable, the closure of it all. But he was not living in a dream world. He knew full well that some things just had to be done, despite the great expense in terms of his energy.

Sweden does not seem to have an end-of-life option for the patient, as is the case in the Netherlands and Switzerland. But there does not seem to be a heated dialog, either, like in the United Kingdom, about patients’ right to request a doctor’s help to terminate life. Having watched my brother suffer for a year I must ask myself why there are no choices. I’m not going to list all the horrible and painful moments my brother experienced in front of my very eyes. In retrospect, when everything is said and done, I think he still would have preferred to live just the number of days he squeezed out of his treatment and the help from the Swedish medical support system. But I would have chosen a different tack, which only means that people have different preferences and there should be an option for ALL. Not forced medical support (for whatever reason).

Claes Munthe
Bob and Claes

My relationship with my brother was unique. During the early years of my career he helped extensively with the management of promotional material back in Sweden when I was traveling around the world. But my work in the sixties was mainly outside of Sweden with few visits to my home country and so we were not as regular or intimate as in later years. Long distance phone calls in those days were costly affairs, only to be used for urgent matters. It was not until the early eighties, thirty five years ago, that I re-cemented my close friendship with my brother and we started to visit each other’s homes. Eventually this grew to extended stays on two continents, permanent possession of each other’s house keys, and “my house is your house.” We regularly visited one another for months on end.

Claes Munthe
Loved to make others laugh.

Bambi: When in the U.S., Claes often referred to himself as an “Okie” or a country bumpkin when he felt unfamiliar with an American tradition. Like the time he drove alone to a plant nursery and his car was rushed by a gang of shouting Mexicans. Cold sweat, pounding heart, knuckles white on the steering wheel, Claes inched forward, terrified. Oh, did we ever laugh about that experience! Just a word of the story could forever after bring any of us to gales of laughter.

The friendship was equally warm between Claes and my wife. They were like brother and sister. We were a unique trio with shared interests and missed each other very much when apart. I would assume that only married couples or siblings can have the kind of close and warm relationship that years of sharing fosters. It was the humor, the jokes, the ribbing, the advice, the practical jokes, the insults, and the support, that was unique and is now missed.

Bambi: How could I not tease him about the creative way he shelved his books?

There wasn’t a dinner or a telephone chat (thank you Skype) when we weren’t laughing uproariously.

Bambi: Remember when Claes bit into a Chinese fortune cookie, made a face, and complained that there was paper in his cookie?

Claes Munthe
Bambi and Claes

Gags or lines often in bad taste or politically incorrect, but biting and pure. No facade or pretense, just gutsy and honest observations with ever-present sardonic over-tones. Guards-down: the sort of rapport you can otherwise only have with a mate from school or the military, and hopefully with your marriage partner. (Or as they call them in Sweden “sambo.” Only forty percent of Swedish people marry—the rest live together under the label “sambo.” Never any spousal support after a break up, but child support works the same way, married or “sambo.”)

Claes had two lengthy “sambo” relations, each lasting about ten years. But he lived alone for the last fifteen years. He felt he lived full life, but regretted that he had not found a partner to share his later years with. He had a preference for exotic appearance and had relations in Latin America and the Middle East which never materialized into something that could become reality back in Sweden.

Bambi: Maybe he lived alone because of his famous stubbornness, huh? Would anyone else behave the way Claes did when airport security told him he couldn’t fly with his pocketknife? He wouldn’t give it up to the security officer, whom he knew would keep the gorgeous little knife. Instead, he was determined to destroy it. Except… it was a strong little knife, a fine German one, and he almost missed his flight because it took him so long!

His love was travel, photography, and the study of ancient civilizations (art, monuments, and history). He spent fifty years taking magnificent photos in every corner of the globe. He was a lecturer in Sweden with a strong following and his appearances always drew an adoring crowd of fans. It was not a big financial reward since culture lectures are not exactly big money-makers, but he was re-booked over and over for the same venues, year after year.

Claes Munthe
He’s up there somewhere…

Bambi: Let’s not forget his love of tree-killing! Has any man felled more trees than Claes has? I was awed when I watched him single-handedly take down a huge mesquite in a tricky position at our Vegas house. But it was nothing compared to seeing him waving in the wind at the top of a giant fir on his country house property—a man with a fear of heights, yet! Over the years, I’ve watched his mountain of tree roots grow.

Oh, we did so much together. We gardened, we went on petroglyph-seeking road trips, we cooked. He taught me to make a killer Jansson’s frestelse. We made flädersaft together with the most old-fashioned tools.

Claes Munthe
The mountains of tree stumps in 2009.

All his friends will remember Claes for two things. His kindness and his desire to help. For many years he worked in human resources and it is amazing how many old friends have now come forward and expressed sorrow over Claes’s passing, always commenting on how much he helped them both professionally and with private trauma and complexities. He was a sensitive soul who wished well for others and always extended himself to others and their need for support.

When we were quite young, maybe about 12 years old, he wrote on a door to a tool shed that I had, “Claes is kind.”

I guess you could characterize Claes with those words—Claes is kind. I believe his friends will all remember Claes first and foremost as a kind and funny guy who passed away much too early.

Do you agree?

All text © copyright 2000-present. All rights reserved. Bob Arno

© Copyright 2008-present Bambi Vincent. All rights reserved.

Tags from the story
, , ,
Written By
More from Bob Arno
A visit to Iran
Iran Bob Arno here, on our recent visit to Iran. The country...
Read More
Join the Conversation

33 Comments

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. says: Nelly

    Bambi. CLAEs was the best person I have ever met in my life. He is an unconditional friend who will always remain in my heart.
    I imagine that you would miss him every day because you were very close, that’s how he told me … we talked about you, how much I loved you. .and that he spent summer time together in the usa.
    Bambie: Send a message and photos of my family in the email … please would like to know. If you received it because it comes out as an unsent message.
    Also. Claes gave me your telephone number of your house. I have tried to call you but without success.
    I hope you are fine.
    We love you.

  2. DEAR BAMBIE AS THEY ARE.. NOW THAT WE’RE PASSING THIS PANDEMIC.. PLEASE TAKE CARE, I ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU. AND AMI FRIEND CLAES.. NOW I LIVE IN LIMA.. I HOPE TO KNOW HOW THEY ARE … A STRONG HUG FOR ALL.. MY PHONE IS [xxxxxxx]..I HOPE YOU REMEMBER ME
    NELLY GARCIA ROJAS

  3. Nelly, a friend of Claes’s from Peru, recently left this sweet memory (English follows):

    “Te extraño un muchisimo mi dear claes quisiera escuchar tu voz se que desde el cielo nos estas cuidando.

    Mi Dear claes en pocos dias jugaran peru con suecia me imagino conversando contigo yo te diria peru va ha ganar ha suecia tu dirias no suecia ganara ha peru pero me mirarias y terminarias por decir estabien peru ganara. Extraño esos momemtos que gacias de todo por verme feliz.”

    In English (thanks translate.google): I miss you a lot my dear claes I would like to hear your voice I know that from heaven you are taking care of us.

    My Dear Claes in a few days will play peru with Sweden I imagine talking to you I would say to you peru is going to win has sweden you would say no sweden will win peru but you would look at me and finish by saying be peru peru will win. I miss those momemtos that you gain from everything to see me happy.

  4. Great story, Peter! One that Claes loved to tell… He never gave up on practical joking, and remained famous for them as well as his costumes and disguises. Thanks for sharing, and for remembering Claes.

  5. says: Peter Engberg

    Jag var klasskamrat med Claes i gymnasiet och samarbetade med honom under 1970-talet, då han gjorde en undersökning åt mig när jag ledde en statlig utredning. Några år senare arbetade Claes en tid på Stockholms informations- och konsumentförvaltning. Jag fick höra talas om en händelse där, som visar att Claes ofta hade “glimten i ögat”. En dag fick förvaltningen en skrivelse från Stockholms konstnämnd, som meddelade att nämnden beslutat deponera ett konstverk, som förvaltningen kunde placera på lämplig plats i lokalerna. Personal hämtade det ganska tunga paketet på anvisad plats och packade upp konstverket, som visade sig vara en stubbe med avsågad stam och kapade rötter. På en metallbricka stod namnet på en konstnär, som ingen hade hört talas om. Verket placerades i foajén. En del av personalen förfasade sig över utvecklingen av den moderna bildkonsten. Claes lyssnade intresserat på diskussionen. Efter en tid berättade han att det var han, som låg bakom detta practical joke. Jag antar att verket sedan placerades mera undanskymt!

  6. says: Olle Överby

    Claes och jag gick i samma klass under gymnasiet och var nära vänner. Gemensamt intresse var fotografering, En sommar gjorde vi en gemensam resa till Grekland då Claes var mycket intresserad av forngrekisk konst och arkitektur. För att få ihop pengar till resan arbetade vi båda som “sopgubbar” i Stockholm, Ett på den tiden fysiskt mycket tufft jobb, men bra betalt. Dessutom var man färdig vid lunchtid och kunde sedan tillbringa några timmar på Vanadisbadet.

    Trots att vi inte träffats på många år, känner jag stor saknad efter honom.

  7. Hola arno , Bambi . he tratado de comunicarme con CLAES pero no he podido llame muchas veces a su casa en STOCOOLMO y solo escuchaba la contestadora CLAES DEAD como mi ingles no es muy bueno pense que yo me esba equibocando no podia aceptar lo que escuchaba llame tambien a EEUU casa de su hermano siempre me hablaba de uds su cuñada hermano su sobrino y su padre. trate de ubicarlos por diferentes medios por facebook los llamaba casi a diario ya que cuento con los numeros telefonicos claes me los dio para cualquier emergencia ,la ultima vez que hable con el fue en mayo 2014 ,EL estaba muy feliz de escucharme me dijo que estaba solo como antes , como siempre el se preucupaba por nosotros mi hija TATIANA y yo, me dijo que nesecitaba un numero telefonico para llamarme y que cortara la llamada por que era muy caro que estaba gastando quedamos que mi numero lo eviaria por mail pero desgraciadamente en ese momento me era dificil comprar un celular .envie mi numero por mail pero nunca contestaba ,el dia sabado 13 de setiembre 2015 escribi su nombre en google salio su imagen estuvimos felises mi hija y yo pense hasta ese momento que no contestaba las llamadas era por que estaba de viaje por el mundo como siempre .
    pero al continuar leyendo la noticia recibida era demaciado fuerte para mi claes habia fallecido en ese momento rompimos en llanto mi hija y yo jamas pense que el se habia ido a un lugar donde nunca regresara.me siento muy triste para mi es como hubiese perdido a mi hermano mi hijo o mi padre ,perdi a mi gran y unico amigo claes no puedo creer que no volvere a verte no volvera a escuchar tu voz , tu sabias cuanto te queriamos tu eras nuestar familia y nosotras para ti .
    recuerdo cuando te conoci .llegaste a un restaurant yo era azafata y estaba estudiando el idioma ingles trate de entenderte por que no hablabas el español. al retirarte me hisiste una propuesta querias que sea tu guia de turista yo me sonrrei yo a pasar que vivo en esta ciudad no conocia las TRES PIRAMIDES DE TUCME pero como al dia siguiente era mi dia libre acepte fuimos de paseo ,CLAES me inpiro confianza , era muy bueno tenia un corzon grande era muy bondadoso ,respetuoso era el hombre y amigo perfecto apartir de esa fecha continuamos en comunicacion por telefono y por mail..en su proxima vista viajamos a cajamarca,trujillo.batan grande lakipamapa.en cajamarca fuimos con mi hermana nos hizo una broma ,el ingreso a la habitacion donde estabamos mi hermana mi sobrino mi hija y yo y se recosto en la cama cerro sus hojos cuando lo hable no me contesto a pesar que lo hablaba muchas veces me asuste no sabia que hacer si el se enfermaba ,despues de un buen momento habrio sus hojitos y empeso a reir me dijo que era una broma.luego fuimos de paseo a laquipampa con mi amiga VIOLETA ellos hisieron una buena amistad ,fuimos en un camion de carga donde hivamos junto con las ovejas claes estaba felis decia que era diferente a las veces que acostubraba viajar ,al regresar no encontramos carro ya era 1 am el empesaba a preuparse pues estamos muy alejados de la ciudad y luego paso un carro de las minas subimos en ese camion y hacia mucho frio no habiamos llevado abrigo entonces nos juntamos todos y no dabamos calor cuerpo a cuerpo era una experiencia muy buena ya en chiclayO claes estubo mas relajado ,un dia fuimos a una fiesta en casa de mi herman estabos bailando pero mucho me puisaba los pies sus Zapatos eran muy grande adivinen ,que hizo se saco los zapatos y empezamos a bailar hasta cansarnos.recuerdo cuando fuimos a un centro comercial queria regalarme unos zapados de hilo medijo que lo usaria cuando baya a visitarlo a su casa en suecia ,por que no podia entrar a su casa con mis sapatos de tacos decia que el piso de su casa era muy delicado yo le dije que no usaria los zapatos el el queria que iria con mis zapatos de tacon y empesaria a patinar por tada su sala el se carcageaba de risa asustado me decia no no yo me reia y le decia era una broma que le hacia. en mi casa el cocino para los 3 para mi hija para mi y para el preparo unos tallarines rojos con salsa de tomate muy delicios por cierto.siempre me invitaba a su pais yo le decia que vendiera su casa y que venga a vivir a peru,el me decia que era imposible en ese tiempo el aun estaba trabajando faltaba poco para que se jubile ,.me decia que viajara a su pais y cambiaria de opinio me hablaba de las culturas eran diferentes su pais esta muy abanzado el me envio pasages en una oportunidad pero cuando estuve en la embajada de FILANDIA me negaron la viza y la salida hasta que mi hija cumpla los 18 años , el padre de mi hija no quiso firmar su salida claes y yo no pusimos a llorara por telefono perdimos los pasajes perdimos la oportunidad de estar junto con el ,perdimos la oportunidad de conocer su pais que el tanto queria ,y de conocer otras culturas.
    Cles por que nos abandonaste por que te fuiste ?hubiese dado todo en lavida por estar junto a ti cuidandote como una vez te lo dije hubiese uqerido estar contigo en tus ultimos dias tu te merecias todo el amor y el cariño del mundo mi claes ,me siento sola y desprotegida tu estuviste en mis tiempos mas dificiles ,estos frases son algunas cosas que pasamos juntos .desde peru lloramos tu partida cada vez que veo tu imagen no paro de llorar no se hasta cuando continuare asi ,a Dios le pido te tenga en su gloria .de recuerdo me queda tus fotos donde estas con tu sobrino cuando tenia 5 años cuidare de esa foto hasta mi ultimo dia de vida.
    hasta siempre mi gran amigo CLAES siempre estar en mi corazon ,te amaremos por siempre.
    conocerte fue lo mejor que me paso en la vida

  8. says: Charlie

    Amazing Stuff!! As My Late Father Passed away from Cancer I Found this Post Helped me Deal with my Fathers Death and Both Very Personal and very,very Heart Warming. RIP Claus!! Keep up the Great Work!!!!

  9. says: Inger

    I miss Claes these days. Always in good mood and enjoying life! Now it is springtime and he should have been 71 years old Feb 3rd 2015.

    I wave to Claes in his heaven and say hello and thank you for everything! Claes is kind and Claes is missed.

  10. We are so touched by all these lovely, loving words. Your memories and stories show us, Claes’s closest family, sides of him we did not know. Thank you all so much for helping to create this long-lasting memorial to Claes.

    Feel free to continue adding!

  11. says: Ellinor Lundstedt

    Beautiful, moving and true written about Claes!
    I got the message about a week ago (sorry I couldn’t come to the funeral) and have been thinking of what I could write, leaving me thinking too much.

    I met Claes for the first time about 3 years ago when he were about to hang up some of his beautiful pictures from his trip to Grand Canyon and Monument Valley at my job.
    I have always been very fascinated by native americans and the old Wild West so we came to talk about everything we knew of the topic. Later on he came to visit, he told me about the next trip he was planning: back to the wild west. He talked about the so called ghost town Bodie, about it’s location and what he hoped to see there. I had just seen a natureprogram on TV about Mono Lake and remembered it was almost the same location, so I told him about it all in a really nerdy way, since one of my hobbies is to photograph as well. So there we were talking and forgetting everything around us, inclusive the musicians in the hallway who were having a christmas singing session as it was Lucia here in Sweden. Claes suggested that I should come with him on his trip and I thought it was a wonderful idea, but I had just met this person so I was still “figuring out what he was for kind of person” and were thinking something between “this is freaking awesome” and “is this guy crazy, he have just met me”. I didn’t go with him and today I regret it for not being so spontanuous, but I’m sure I’m gonna do, almost, the same trip as he told me about. :-)
    I also recieved a postcard, from the trip to the Wild West. “To the sweet girl in the reception” it said in the adress.

    Since we both had interest in photography, landscapes, different culutre, history and well, the list goes on – we went to Fotografiska, a museum with exhibitions only of lots of photographs. We could walk around for hours without even noticing, commenting the photos and then go to take a fika!
    I am the girl who got my ass beaten up by the Claes and his fellow gang in badminton last year. It was great, they were in fantastic shape and played really well! Everybody was so nice and taught me some tricks, it was real fun! (For the record I’m 22 years old so they were just a bit older than me, haha) ;-)

    Claes really is kind. He was like my mentor, he opened ways to see things in other ways I didn’t quite think of. He was a dear friend, my “fotofarbror/mysfarbror”. We joked around most of the time, laughing and telling eachother lifestories of all kind. One time last year in december, I was waiting in Gamla Stan in the subway for a friend and just when she came, a tall figure walked towards me. Started to speak to me, but I couldn’t quite hear what he was saying. You see, this man had this cowboy hat on and a mask, exactly like Gandalf from Lord of the Rings – beard and everything. I started to giggle a little bit because I thought it was a great outfit, then I saw those blue kind eyes through the mask. At that minuite he said “isn’t it Elli? ;-)” and in that moment I had no doubt, I could only think of one man doing that!

    I know and hope he is in a greater place. I bet he’s on some spectacular adventure right now! :-)
    Aldrig glömd, alltid saknad! (never forgotten, always be missed).

    Your friend Elli

  12. Katarina, we had a lovely funeral for Claes on 30 September. I’m sorry you didn’t get word of it. However, this page will stand as a memorial to Claes, so please feel free to add your thoughts here.

  13. says: Katarina Wicksell

    I met Claes several times and listened to him telling about his round-the-world travels. I really appreciated him and would like to give him my respect in some kind. Are there any ceremony planned?

  14. says: Jadwiga Bergström

    Det är inte så lätt att skriva om en person även om man kände honom väll. 
I livets olika faser och olika sammanhang spelar vi våra roller. Claes var en mångfacetterad person och han spelade flera olika roller. När vi möttes första gången spelade han rollen som manager for human resources. Han hade ansvar för frågor som rörde personal. Och jag kommer ihåg att han var nästan pedantisk i sitt arbete, samt skicklig på att förhandla. Jag kommer ihåg att jag skulle skriva ett brev till management. Claes bestämde sig för att i den processen spela rollen som sufflör och brevets redigerare. Och det blev lyckat. Samma roll spelade han även en vecka innan han gick bort. Vi skojade om att han borde öppna en konsultbyrå. Han gillade att klura ut, att formulera för att uppnå ett visst syfte. 
Claes spelade även rollen som föreläsare. Även i denna roll har jag sett honom och direkt dragit nytta av hans kunskaper: “Claes vet du hur man beskär träd?” “Ja, det vet jag för jag har föreläst om odling och har beskurit träd hos mina grannar.” Och så koma Claes till mig och visade konsten att beskära.
Claes brukade säga att han var periodare: en period i livet gav han föreläsningar om odling, en annan period om föräldraskap. Under många år gav han intressanta föreläsningar med historiskt tema kombinerat med fantastiska fotografier från platser som han besökt. Han fick också uppdrag att fotografera ansikten, något som var väldigt uppskattat och som han själv verkligen gillade, eftersom han hade känsla för att se det unika hos varje individ.

    Men den största och den bästa rollen var att vara en fantastisk vän. Att sitta med Claes och äta lunch var ett privilegium: vi brukade diskutera allt möjligt: både det vardagliga livet men oftast avhandlade vi “djupa” frågor. Det jag uppskattade hos Claes var att han inte var rädd att vara kontroversiell, att tänka annorlunda, att ifrågasätta. Han hjälpte mig att se saker från olika perspektiv. Att se flera alternativ, olika nyanser. Han var nyfiken och ville följa utvecklingen av situationen, följa händelseförloppet. En följetång. 
Våra veckoluncher såg jag alltid fram emot: att träffa Claes, se hans leende, tillbringa någon timme eller mer med honom. Växla tankar och idéer med honom, få råd men också ge mina åsikter. Allt detta gav mig mycket energi. Jag uppskattade det oerhört.

    Trots att jag träffade Claes ofta har jag inte insett den förödelse hans sjukdom gjorde inuti honom. Ett par veckor innan han somnade in, sa Claes att han längtade efter att komma till stan, se rörelse, se människor, gå på antikvariat. Leva! Trots smärtan visade han aldrig en svaghet. Jag upplevde att han ville kämpa och bekämpa cancern. Att han ville leva som vanligt. Jag erbjöd mig att spela badminton med honom för att träna innan han skulle möta de stora spelarna: badmintongänget. In i det sista har jag hoppats att det blir som vanligt. Att Claes gick bort bara några timmar efter när jag pratade med honom var en chock för mig.

    Claes, jag saknar Dig! Tack för alla de stunder som vi har tillbringat tillsammans. Tack för att Du var en så fantastisk vän. Du känner inte längre smärtan och detta är en tröst men du lämnar mig och många andra av dina vänner i en djup sorg.
    Tack att Du fanns!

  15. says: Anders Heimdahl

    Fifty-eight years ago I first met Claes when we both began our studies at Norra Real. Since then I have had the obligation to have him as my oldest friend. We experienced many good times during our long friendship such as; making gun-powder in his parents kitchen, photo documentation of artists, sports and old churches and a combined bike/camping trip from Stockholm to Paris and then to London. Claes was always helpful and we often assisted each others construction-work on our houses as we were neighbours. He was always happy and optimistic even during his serious disease. I really mourn a close friend and a very good person. If there is a heaven he most likely will reside there.

  16. says: Marc Joseph

    Claes was indeed kind, and funny, and a great host. I regret that much of my experience with Claes were indirect – hearing stories of what a great time he showed Bambi’s family during their visit to Sweden or how he followed Bambi & Bob in disguise and the many practical jokes he played on Bob. Claes played a special and important role and he will be missed. I did not know Claes well, but we had shared interests and I will always have a great deal of respect for him, his wit and, of course, his kindness..

  17. says: Peter Jakobsson

    Jag träffade Claes första gången i badmintonhallen 1998.Jag jobbade då på Birka Service och hade fått nys om att det fanns en badmintongrupp! Kul tänkte jag! Och begav mig dit! Där pågick en match för fullt! Det var Classe som med svordomar och stamp i golvet försökte besegra sin motståndare! Jag tänkte ? Vad är det där för en filur ? Svär och lever om ! Shortsen uppdragna i armhålan (nästan ) och verkar ta matchen som det vore ett SM spel! Jag skrattade lite för mig själv! När han spelat klart gick jag fram och frågade om han var sugen och lira! Javisst! Jag presenterade mig, och vi körde igång! Den matchen fick jag inte många bollar! Han var grym! Så där fick jag för mitt skratt!!!! Efter det mötet träffades vi två dagar i veckan och lirade i 14 år! Visst skolkade vi några gånger när vi var sjuka, skadade mm. Men för det mesta körde vi! Badmintongänget växte under årens lopp och vi blev ett skönt gäng som hade mycket trevligt utanför banan också! Middagar, Ålandsresor mm! Och Classe var alltid med och höll stämningen på topp! Han var ju sån! En glad skojfrisk människa med glimten i ögat.Vi blev mer och mer kompisar privat och pratade om allt mellan himmel och jord! Livets dalar och toppar! Han fanns alltid där och lyssnade.Classe var inte bara en”polare” han var en vän! Som alla vet var han ju otroligt berest! Vi började prata om att göra en resa ihop! Jag sa att jag alltid drömt om att få bila på västkusten i USA! Och va det något Classe kunde så var det USA! Så på våren 2012 drog vi iväg! Å vilken resa! Nästan en 4 veckor lång “roadtrip”Jag kommer att vara Classe tacksam för den resan så länge jag lever! Finns ingen bättre reseledare! Så mycket upplevelser och intryck! Los Angeles, San Francisco, Alcatraz, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon och div. Indianbyar bara för att nämna några ställen! Resan förhöjes av att Håkan Keskikangas var med i 10 dagar och att min kära sambo Frida-Maria överraskade med att komma och vara med sista veckan! Det kommer nog aldrig att gå och toppa den resan! TACK CLASSE! För att du gjorde min dröm till verklighet! Det känns så tung att du är borta! Att jag aldrig mer kan ringa och “gagga skit!” Det är svårt och hålla tillbaka tårarna när jag tänker på det!.Jag kommer alltid att minnas dig för den schysta människa du var! Jag är så tacksam att jag fick lära känna dig! Att den djävulska sjukdomen skulle ta dit liv är så orättvist! Men nu lider du inte mer! Din eviga vän Peter

  18. Claes, en god vän och personalchef på Fortum. Ställde alltid upp för andra och vill hjälpa.

    Vi dök ihop på Fortums dykklubb och han var så glad när han vid 60´tog körkort. En kollega som blev en vän som man alltid kunde lita på. Full av energi, envishet och med många skämt på lager. Blev många historier genom åren. Jag pratade med Claes kvällen innan han gick bort och har var lugn och lät nästan som gamla Claes, innan sjukdomen slog till. Alltid redo, på hugget, gav råd om man bad om det och gav en hjälpande hand till alla som ville ta den.

    Jag saknar Claes men han kommer alltid finnas kvar i mitt minne. Jag kände Claes i 20 år och via Fortum, vi pratade mycket och blev vänner under Birka-tiden innan Fortum. Så fina bilder som Claes visat mig, så vackra och som sa så mycket. Vi dök ihop på Västkusten några år 1997-2000. Han var alltid nyfiken att lära sig nytt och ville bli bra på det. Alltid med humor i blick. Vi är nog många på Fortum som minns honom och som har fina minnen.

    Saknar dig, Claes. Men du finns ändå. Tack för du funnits för mig och för andra vänner.

    Claes is kind, and I miss him very much.

  19. says: Jan och Gudrun Bek

    Även om vi visste hur sjuk Claes var så blev det ju en chock att det gick så fort och någonstans finns ju alltid hoppet kvar. Vi pratade med honom en vecka tidigare och han lät som vanligt pigg och skojfrisk. Han klagade aldrig och hade varit ute och köpt filmer mm. Vi träffades inte under det senaste året, bl a på grund av hans nedsatta immunförsvar under den långa cellgiftsbehandlingen, men vi ringde ofta till honom. Han var också trött ibland och då ringde vi en annan dag i stället.

    Det ni skriver om honom stämmer bra med hur vi har upplevt honom under många år – alltid redo att träffas och han tyckte om att småretas samt practical jokes. Dessutom älskade han att fälla träd och arbeta i Kungsängen, kallade det sitt gym. Han skickade också alltid vykort från sina många resor och ibland undertecknades de med ett alias, typ maffian i Neapel etc. När vi gjorde utflykter tillsammans var kameran var alltid framme och konst och kultur diskuterades livligt. Vi hade också glädjen att få plocka vinbär hos honom varje år då han inte kunde tillgodogöra sig den mängd det brukade bli. Många nyårsftnar har vi också tillbringat tillsammans och goda måltider har han tyckt om att laga och att äta.

    Vi sörjer en kär och nära vän djupt men är samtidigt tacksamma för den mångåriga vänskap vi har fått uppleva. Försöker också trösta oss med att han slipper lida mer. Naturligtvis kommer vi till begravningen och i stället för blommor skänker vi ett bidrag till Cancerfonden.

    Kära hälsningar
    Jan och Gudrun

  20. says: yelm

    What a beautiful and moving tribute. Claes was indeed a very special person, and we, his extended family, all cared for him deeply. We will miss him.

  21. says: Frida-Maria Förnerud

    It’s hard for our family to understand that Claes is gone. It feels like it was a totally different person who carried me in Arizona two years ago. I could never imagine that Claes, who seemed to be very young inside his body and who seemed to be quite healthy and happy, should leave us with cancer only two years after our trip in USA.

    The only thing that I’m thinking about is that he now doesn’t have to suffer anymore. It was not Claes this summer—it was someone else. The cancer took his life already before he past away from this world.

  22. says: Peter

    Being one of the “badminton gang” members I met Claes for the first time in 2001 at the Fortum badminton club. From the very start you could tell that he was special, and very much so for me. Even though I lived abroad in the UK for seven years we never lost touch and he visited me several times in London. During this time I also met up with him for a few days in Rome on one of his “quests” to document Ostia, the port city of Rome. Claes really put his heart into the things he was interested in which showed clearly on this particular trip. One of the days in Rome I came with him to Ostia for a whole day, starting early in the morning. He was very focused and had planned his day meticulously in advance not miss to take pictures of any of the buildings in the ruin city. Even though it was around 40 degrees Celcius Claes stuck to his plan, but I had to give up in the afternoon and wait in the shady cafeteria. Claes only showed up to share a coke and then he was off again to take some more pictures before the sun was to low on the horizon. In the evenings we had dinner in Rome and Claes shared his stories of old Rome. He was a very good story-teller and managed to start off by talking about an interesting building and then weave in an interesting story of a Roman emperor or some other tale of a lost time. For me this was Claes at his best. I enjoyed our time together very much and I am thankful for all the great memories he has given me.

    In 2012 I moved back to Stockholm. Now it was easier to meet Claes on a more frequent basis and we met either at the badminton club or for dinner. Since I moved back Claes has been over for midsummer celebrations at my and my “sambo”, Zhongs, place every year. Even though he was tired he was keen to come over for a few hours to talk and meet new people also for this years´ midsummer celebrations. With Claes it was always quality time and he was a most appreciated dinner quest. It always felt like there was no age difference between us and you always felt at ease with him. I will miss him dearly.

  23. says: John Houdi

    What a great and moving text over Claes.
    I met him briefly during the years we have known each other. I talked with him briefly on phone and this summer he was to sick to come down to say hello when I visited you in his house.
    I wish I’d known him better.
    Such a loss for you.

  24. says: Peter Nilsson

    Claes is kind!

    I can often regret that I only got ten years with Claes. I noticed the very first meeting that Claes was different. We met at the office – as colleagues. I had been told before: Claes was special. Since I have a penchant to read between the lines, I interpreted it as something negative. I afterwards understood that this was the case. But God, how wrong they were. Claes was special. A great guy!.

    2004, I had been instructed to employ four people in a short time. Claes was my HR specialist. We talked for hours. At work – evenings – face-to-face – on the phone. Claes warned me: it’s a colorful crowd we were about to hire. “Make or brake” or “no guts no glory”. We drove. Together. Into the wall. Many hours we sat and analyzed. And laughed. And cried. Wow – what fun we had.

    There I found him. A kind, gentle man who wanted everything to end well. For everyone. But also could say, “enough”. “Out.”

    After two to three years, or so, we stopped working together. He retired. I was on a farewell coffee of some sort. A nice relaxed evening. Something glimmered. I became interested. He was. Unique.

    I was responsible for the Corporate Credit function at Fortum. The Swedish credit department that he had helped create took him as a mascot. We all found each other. Now – ten years later – we still meet in private. People have moved on but we meet. And Claes was our glue. Claes is our idol. Everything revolves around him. We love him.

    Once he came dressed as a hippie at Tyrol – the restaurant at the amusement park Gröna Lund in Stockholm. Tears ran of joy. We couldn’t stop laughing.
    Once he sat at a Korean restaurant with a pig mask covering his face. Reading the newspaper upside down.
    The stories kept coming – he never ran out of a good one. All the time. He told how he pinched Bob in his ass on the bus going to Stockholm from Skavsta. And after, when he threw himself into the snowdrift.

    Claes was a big baby. Full of joy. And play.
    But anyone who says it is so, is also wrong. Claes was so much more. He was thoughtful. Loving. Serious. Wanted good to happen. Always had time. Listened. Cared. Corrected me. Corrected others. Kind. But with a dead set opinion.

    Claes was twenty years older than me. It was not noticeable in everyday life. When we fooled around. He beat me in badminton due to amongst other things, his better condition. He played. Swore. Showed off. Loved life.

    But it was noticeable when we were serious. His experiences. Sometimes after serious conversation, I could go from there and know that he was like a father to me. I have a good relationship with my dad that I love, but Claes and I had fatherly conversation that does not encroach on this.

    He will be missed. For me, and for Peter Jakobsson, Peter Öhling, Robert Johansson, Håkan Keski Kangas. The badminton “crazies” – colorful guys also with a strong personal character. Claes took the role as a mentor for them. As an extra dad. As a friend. For all. It was exciting to see. We went on trip to Åland Islands. He was sober. They were very drunk. We had crazy fun. We tried to set him up. On a whim.

    Did I have a chance to have a role model, a single choice, then Claes whould be the one I thought of first. Loving and caring. Exemplifying the Swedish “lagom” meaning just enough. Canny. Funny. Caring.
    Damn, I will miss him.

    I see it as a blessing that I got to know him. To have him as a brother had been asking for too much. By then I had been very proud.

    Of course, I will attend his funeral. I want to show him that he was something. For me. And for so many others.

    He always has a place in my heart.

    With best regards,
    Peter

  25. says: shari

    I didn’t get to spend enough time with Claes, the most gracious person I’ve met. One thing I knew the first time I met him was that Claes IS kind. It was obvious in his face, his smile, his eyes, his mannerisms – you could just feel it the moment you met him. I really do feel fortunate for the visits we did have over the years – especially in Sweden where he was on his on turf and the most amazing host. I will miss him.