Robert ‘Bob’ Klein, 89, Cedar Grove, died peacefully Nov. 27, 2014, surrounded by his loving family. He was born June 4, 1925, in Burlington, to the late George Klein and Caroline Grossman Klein.
He was a proud veteran of WWII, serving in the 8th Air Force as a ball-turret gunner on a B-17 bomber.
On Aug. 5, 1950, he married his high school sweetheart Irene Elting in Burlington. She preceded him in death in 2010. After his time in the service ended, Bob attended college in Whitewater where he received his BS in history and physical education. He continued his education later in life and received his Masters in physical education from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse.
In 1968, the couple moved from New Lisbon to Cedar Grove when Bob took a teaching job as a physical education teacher with the Cedar Grove Belgium School District. He retired in 1989 after a 40-year career in education in North Dakota and Wisconsin. Throughout his teaching career he coached golf, football, baseball and basketball. He was a member of Divine Savior Parish in Belgium and Van Der Jagt – De Bruine American Legion Post 338 in Cedar Grove.
He enjoyed making woodcrafts, gardening, bowling, golfing, fishing, traveling and working on jigsaw puzzles. He was also a very passionate fan of the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers.
Survivors include his daughters, Lori (Jim) Walber, Brooklyn Park, Minn., Kathy (Carl) Ten Haken, Oostburg, and Patty (Ralph) Nitsch, Sheboygan; grandchildren, Megan, Rebecca, Christopher, Bradley and Samantha; great-granddaughters, Audrey, Hannah, Cassidy, Emmalee, Avery, and Claire (with another great-grandchild on the way); his sister-in-law, Bette (the late Robert) Burkee, Sauk City; nieces; nephews; other relatives; many friends; and his dog Harley.
He was further preceded in death by his siblings, Rose, Wally, Mary, Ed and Al Klein.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at noon at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 2720 Henry St., Sheboygan. Father Paul Fliss will officiate. He will be laid to rest next to his wife in St. Mary Parish Cemetery in Lake Church. Visitation is Monday, Dec. 1, from 6-8 p.m., at the Eernisse Funeral Home, 171 N. Royal Ave., Belgium, and again at the Church on Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 11 a.m.-noon. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested.
Well-wishers can visit www.eernissefuneralhome.com.
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