C. Robert Klein's Obituary
C. Robert Klein, age 92, a resident of Leesburg, FL, previously of Marblehead and Bellevue, Oh, died on Feb 8, 2016. He was born September 5, 1923, in Bellevue, Ohio, to Carl Phillip and Marguerite Hergert Klein.
Bob passed away due to the body wearing out before the mind gave up. He graduated from Bellevue High School in 1941 and Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, with a degree in Business Administration. He was a member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity. He served in the US Army during WW2 as a 1st Lieutenant in Burma.
The Klein Steel Company, founded by his father, supplied structural steel for buildings all over Ohio and neighboring states. He developed the Kleeco line of marina equipment that produced boat cranes, boat carriers, floating docks and floating boathouses. He also developed industrial cranes for transporting nuclear fuel rod assemblies, jet engines, Amtrak cars, barges, and modular homes. He held design patents that were respected in the industry. Kleeco equipment is still in use locally, around the country, and overseas. He served as the President of the Ohio Steel Fabricators Association.
He was a member of Graceway Presbyterian Church, Leesburg, FL, Lakeside United Methodist Church, Lakeside, Ohio, and St. John’s Lutheran Church, Bellevue, Ohio. He also enjoyed working with the Lakeside Men's Club.
Bob Inherited his love of boating from his father Carl and passed it on to his children. He was a skilled yachtsman enjoying sailboat racing and power boating. He and his wife Marylou maintained their 1953 Chris-Craft Commander Companion II in Bristol condition with a distinctive glossy black hull, varnished mahogany decks, and white cabin tops. He taught their children to sail in the sailing dinghy that followed them around. The family spent most weekends and week long vacations boating together. He later owned several Lymans and enjoyed working on them as much as boating in them. One of his favorite sailboat races was the Miami to Nassau, Bahamas race in 1951.
Bob was a Life member of the Sandusky Sailing Club where he was Commodore in 1953. There he enjoyed sailing and racing his K-Cat Toby and courted his wife of 64 years, Marylou.
He was a past member of Sandusky Harlequins, the Sandusky Yacht Club, and the Lions club of Bellevue. He served on Bellevue city council for 14 years and was council President.
Bob was a private pilot with many hours of enjoyment flying both for business and pleasure.
He was an excellent craftsman in woodworking and metalworking and continued playing in his shop until recently. He enjoyed working on houses and projects. Bob was always creating and repurposing materials for new projects. He was intrigued by mechanics and designs.
Bob enjoyed big bands and classical music. He practiced photography in small and large formats and maintained a darkroom in the home. His favorite subjects were structures, ships, and nature. He had a keen eye for hidden shapes. Bob embraced the digital revolution and explored computers and digital cameras.
Bob was preceded in death by by his parents, sisters Winifred Wagner (Hobart) and Marjorie Danklefsen (Earl), and brother Edgar Klein (Peg). Bob is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marylou Thrasher Klein, children Beth Ilem (Lech), Doug Klein (Cindy), Susan Fritz (Mark), 5 grandchildren Leah Ilem, David Ilem (Allison), Katy Klein Kohman (Adam), Sarah Fritz, Jacob Fritz, and 3 great grandchildren, Marissa Fritz and LuMar Garrett, Addalyn Fritz and numerous nieces and nephews.
Those wishing to contribute in Bob’s memory may do so to the Sandusky Sailing Club, learn to sail program, PO Box 814, Sandusky, OH 44870 or one’s favorite charity.
A memorial service will be held on March 5, 2016 at the Graceway Presbyterian Church, Leesburg, Florida..
One of Bob’s greatest attributes was trying to see all sides of an issue and trying to treat everyone fairly. He truly was a nice guy…
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