Howard C. Klemm, a master plumber who worked as a Baltimore building inspector for many years, died Friday of a stroke at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He was 81.

Mr. Klemm spent most of his life in the North Point Road area of Eastpoint. He learned much about plumbing from his father, John C. Klemm, who owned an Essex plumbing business.

He attended Kenwood High School, where he was a member of the Baltimore County championship soccer team. He enjoyed many sports, competing on school baseball, softball, track, volleyball and basketball teams. When he was about 17, he saved a girl from drowning in Baer Creek in Essex.

He served in the Coast Guard from 1942 to 1945, stationed at Nags Head and Elizabeth City, N.C. In 1951, he re-enlisted and served as a recruiter for three years.

Later, Mr. Klemm studied blueprinting at the University of Maryland and Polytechnic Institute, and obtained a master plumber's license.

He worked for almost two decades in the Baltimore housing department as a building and mechanical inspector. He retired in 1984.

After his retirement Mr. Klemm was appointed to the Baltimore County Plumbing Board and Code Committee; he was instrumental in the county's adoption of a national plumbing code and in improving its licensing tests.

He and his wife of 42 years, Clara E. Klemm, loved to travel by car to destinations throughout North America.

"We got many miles under our belt," said Mrs. Klemm. "We covered the East Coast, went out to Kansas, Texas, Mexico, Canada."

Mr. Klemm was an avid pool player, and as an adult won two local golf tournaments. He also tutored people who were seeking their plumber's licenses.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Oak Lawn Cemetery, 7225 Eastern Ave.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Howard Klemm Jr. and Steven Klemm, both of Essex, and Karl Klemm of Fort Myers, Fla.