localbusiness
Celebrating 20 Years Dok Klaus Computer Care BY JENNIFER WALDERA
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ok Klaus Computer Care is celebrating its 20th year of being open in Warrenton, and Klaus Fuechsel has plenty to celebrate. In addition to a long tradition of providing solid services to local individuals and businesses, Klaus has also battled and beaten more than a few personal challenges. Klaus was born in Berlin in 1960. Initially he studied physics but shifted to math and computer science as a focus in college. He moved with his wife of 14 years at the time, Virginia (as well as their three daughters) to the U.S. in 1999 to work on a project for Siemens after extensive training, college work, and experience in Germany and around the world. Programming had become his passion and he worked extensively for Siemens in that capacity. After spending two years in New Jersey on the work that he came to do, the project ended and he was left to look for new work in a post-9/11 economy. Choosing to move to Warrenton where his wife’s parents resided, he thought that finding work with his skilled background wouldn’t be a problem. However, the requirements of the government and government contractors proved otherwise. Given his citizenship status in 2001, it proved challenging to find a job. Instead of being thwarted by those obstacles, Klaus took to entrepreneurship and started his own business. Repairing computers, removing viruses, recovering data, and providing various other services became the backbone of his new company. While the location of his business changed over the years from sometimes having a storefront to other times being home-based, his commitment to helping the community remained unwavered. While the pandemic affected everyone in various ways, it particularly affected Klaus’s business. It was challenging to go to people’s homes or businesses but
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those who wanted services also felt challenged to visit a spot for service. At the same time, Klaus began his own unexpected personal journey. In autumn of 2020, Klaus suffered a seizure which landed him in the hospital. Shortly thereafter he was diagnosed with brain cancer. In November of 2020 he underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Since then, Klaus has continued to work but is also now utilizing breakthrough technology to combat the cancer in his brain. The Optune, a cap that he wears at all times, creates a magnetic field that is intended to hinder the DNA from multiplying. At 62, Klaus says that there are few side effects and that he remains positive. While he is not working quite as much, he says he has a good team that he can advise as they do house calls. His wife does much of the business side while he has several people on the team to provide service. When not focused on business, Klaus loves Warrenton and what it has to offer. “There are nice places to get good food, and go to the park,” he says.