Elmer Theodore "Ted" Klassen[1] (November 6, 1908 – March 6, 1990) served as the United States Postmaster General from January 1, 1972, to February 16, 1975.
At the time of his retirement, the Postal Service was under criticism by members of Congress and others because of financial and organizational problems and higher rates.
Mr. Klassen came in for his share of the criticism, in particular from Jack Anderson, the syndicated newspaper columnist, who took issue over contracts awarded by the Postal Service.
[3] Klassen was born in Hillsboro, Kansas, and was raised in California; he began his career at American Can in 1925 as a messenger in the San Francisco plant.
Klassen never attended college; his only formal education beyond high school was advanced management training at Harvard University in 1954.