**Diane Jennings Klepper (1934–2025)**
Diane Jennings Klepper passed away on September 11, 2025, at the age of 90. She devoted 31 years of her career to serving as Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs at the University of New Mexico (UNM) School of Medicine. Throughout her tenure, Diane was a passionate advocate for students, encouraging many to practice medicine in New Mexico.
As a pulmonologist, Diane not only treated patients but also taught respiratory therapists at Central New Mexico Community College (CNM), contributing significantly to healthcare education in the region.
Diane was born in 1934 in Wichita, Kansas, to Denny and Elma Klepper. She pursued her education with dedication, earning a bachelor’s degree from Monticello College and the University of Kansas. She went on to obtain a master’s degree from Columbia University, followed by a medical degree from the University of Kansas. Diane completed her residency in internal medicine at the University of Washington.
Her connection to New Mexico began as a teenager while attending Cimarroncita Camp in northeastern New Mexico, where she fell in love with the people and the landscape. This early experience inspired her lifelong commitment to the state, a dream she fulfilled when she accepted a position at the UNM School of Medicine in 1968.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Diane was a strong advocate for physical fitness. She competed in AAU basketball, participated in the 1956 Olympic track and field trials, and enjoyed bicycling around the Enchanted Circle.
Diane is survived by her sister, Kay Bales; nephews Robert and Denny Bales; and many friends and colleagues who will remember her fondly.
Her legacy of dedication to medicine, education, and her beloved New Mexico continues to inspire those who knew her.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/diane-jennings-klepper-diane-jennings-040700609.html