ROBERT EDWIN KLEES

KLEES, ROBERT EDWIN Bob Klees was born to William and Ruth Klees on February 21, 1927 in Brooklyn, New York. He passed peacefully on June 16, 2011 at 84 years of age. He was a one-of-a-kind; a class act and a true gentleman. Bob's childhood years were spent in several locations within New York and Virginia. He enlisted in the United States Navy on January 30, 1945, graduating high school early to join in the war effort. He proudly served as a Pharmacist Mate 3rd class, having taken his advanced training in San Diego in what is now the San Diego Automotive Museum building in Balboa Park. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He remained a proud United States Navy supporter his entire life and was a member of the Navy League since 1960. Bob was a true patriot who never failed to tear up when the United States flag marched by. He entered Duke University in 1948 and soon met Lynn Weith. He graduated as soon as possible so he could wed his love, which occurred on February 24, 1951 in West Caldwell, New Jersey at Lynn's family home. They celebrated their 60th anniversary this year. His first post-college employment was with Union Carbide in New York City, where he learned the marketing and sales techniques that came so naturally to him. He and Lynn settled in Darien, CT and welcomed the births of their first two children, Douglas and Barbara. Opportunity called when he accepted a position with Beckman Instruments in La Habra, CA. The family resettled in Fullerton and welcomed the birth of daughter Betsy. After seven years at Beckman, Bob helped to create a new company, International Biophysics Corporation, which was later acquired by Johnson & Johnson Corporation. He then entered graduate school at UC Riverside to pursue an MBA degree. During that time, another opportunity arrived when he was hired by Twentieth Century Fox as vice president of marketing for the film processing division, Color By Deluxe. While the movie industry was a big change from biomedical instrumentation, Bob had the experience and people skills to make the transition seamlessly. He retired from Fox in 1983 with many unique experiences and memories. After moving to San Diego, Bob and Lynn traveled the globe for several years, with their most memorable time being spent in St. Croix, France, Botswana and South Africa. Great memories were made at the Marine's Memorial Club in San Francisco. Volunteer work became Bob's next career, sharing his compassion and positive nature with seniors in the community as a volunteer with the San Diego Police Department's Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol. He earned the rank of Lieutenant in his 13 years of service to his community. Bob also served as a docent at the San Diego Air and Space Museum, giving enthusiastic and engaging tours to all age groups while sharing his love of aviation. He proudly served as "Plane Captain" of the Spirit of St. Louis replica aircraft that greets visitors in the museum lobby. He was also proud to be a member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. There are not words that can capture the essence of the gentleman known as "sweet old Bob". He loved reading the New York Times in the morning while listening to classical music, and it was jazz he enjoyed while sipping a tidily in the evening. Bob was a nature lover, bird watcher, rambler of the Arizona desert and World War II history buff. Duke basketball gave him great joy and he built his schedule around "March Madness" every year. Bob is survived by his wife Lynn; son Douglas (Debra) of Holbrook, AZ; daughter Betsy Brittle (Scott) of Sunnyvale, CA; and grandsons David, Atcheson and Thomas. Predeceased by daughter Barbara and grandson Dustin. A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 15, 2011, at 2 p.m. at Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Road, San Diego, CA. 92122. Bob will always be remembered for his sense of humor, thoughtfulness, generosity and eternal optimism. To our husband, father, grandfather and friend, we love you and bid you farewell.