Kamil Klier, 93, of Bethlehem, (Professor Emeritus in the Chemistry Department of Lehigh University) passed away peacefully in his home on Monday, July 1, 2025. He was the loving husband of the late Jana Simerova Klier who died in 2017 at the age of 80.

Kamil was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia – then a democratic republic – in 1932. He enjoyed an active childhood participating in ice hockey and soccer. Kamil experienced a challenging childhood. With the advent of World War II, Prague became part of the German occupied Protectorate or Bohemia and Moravia. At the conclusion of the war, this area was unified with Slovakia and became part of the eastern bloc.

Despite these obstacles, Kamil attended Charles University where he earned his Diploma in Chemistry in 1954, followed by graduate studies at the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences and Institute of Physical Chemistry in Prague from 1954 to 1959 under the guidance of Dr. Rudolf Brdicka. He then spent a year in the UK as Fellow at the Wantage Research Laboratories in Oxfordshire and returned to Prague to complete his PhD in Physical Sciences in 1961 from what is now the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. He continued as a Senior Research Scientist at the institute through 1968. During this time, he became known for his contributions to heterogeneous catalysis research.

Kamil was then invited to join Lehigh University in Bethlehem PA in 1967 as visiting professor and in 1968 and he and his family made the move to Bethlehem PA, living on Fountain Hill and later in Hanover Township. His progress at Lehigh University was marked by promotion to full professor in 1973, appointment as associate director of the Center for Surface and Coatings Research in 1978, Chemistry Department Chair in 1992 and Emeritus Professor in 2010. His work was recognized with the Outstanding Educator of America Award, University Distinguished Professorship, Libsch Distinguished Research Award, Union Carbide Award for Innovative Chemistry, Excellence in Research Award from the New York Catalysis Society, Langmuir Lectureship from the American Chemical Society, the Burwell lectureship from the North American Catalysis Society and the Heyrovsky Medal of the Czech Academy of sciences. He was a prolific researcher, lecturer, and collaborator with over 200 seminars and over 250 research papers.

Kamil was a long-time resident of Bethlehem PA since 1968. He was ever grateful to the United States for providing him and his family with a welcoming second home and wonderful opportunities. He loved cross-country skiing, crewing, hiking, music and taking care of his cabin in the Poconos. He is survived by his sons John (wife Nancy) of Norman OK and Peter (wife Lana) of Sunnyvale CA and 6 grandchildren - Carolyn, Steven, Laura, Katherine, Pavel and Nikola. He is also survived int USA by his brother Otakar Klier Sr, nephews Otakar Klier Jr and Martin Simer and nieces Helena Romans and Jitka Klier, as well as many loving relatives in the Czech Republic.

Private services for Kamil's internment will be held at Nisky Hill Cemetery Saturday, August 16, 2025. Family and friends are invited for a memorial luncheon following the service from 11am-2pm at the Hotel Bethlehem (Lehigh room) to celebrate Kamil's life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Kamil's name to the Alzheimer's Association.