Robert Klitgaard

1921 - 2014

Robert Manito Klitgaard

August 31, 1921 - November 30, 2014

Robert Manito Klitgaard ("Bob") died on November 30, 2014 in Salem, OR from natural causes. He was 93. Bob was known for his sense of humor, his love of golf and crossword puzzles, and a perpetually active mind.

Bob was born on August 31, 1921 in New York City, NY, the third of four children, to his parents Carl Edler and Ellen Frederikka Severina (Andersen) Klitgaard. He received his middle name after his father's youngest brother, Thomas Manito Klitgaard. He grew up on Staten Island, and often traveled into New York for entertainment. Summers were spent at his parents' seasonal home, a small farm in Clinton, N.J.

Bob attended St John's Military Academy in Ossining, NY until 1930, and Staten Island Academy until 1935, where he first met his future wife Mildred in the fifth grade. He subsequently went to Peddie School in Hightstown, NJ until 1940 and to Lafayette College until 1942.

Bob entered the Navy as a Cadet in the Air Corps and graduated from flight school April 1, 1943. He flew dive bombers (SBDs) from the USS Essex from December 1943 until March 1944, and on his second tour of duty flew fighters (F6Fs) from the USS Lexington and the USS Yorktown from December 1944 until June of 1945. During his tour he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 5 clusters, the American Theater Victory Medal Asiatic-Pacific with five stars, and three Presidential Unit Citations. He shot down three enemy aircraft. Toward the end of the war he was sent to Jacksonville NAS as a fighter instructor.

When the war ended, Bob returned home and on January 12, 1946 married Mildred Sykes. He returned to Lafayette College, from which he graduated with a BS in Civil Engineering.

Bob went to work for Bethlehem Steel where he had a 25-year career, moving up from shop foreman to plant manager to divisional leadership positions. In 1976 he left Bethlehem when his division was shut down. He subsequently worked as a Vice President at Isaacson Steel before finally retiring in 1982.

Like many of their generation, Bob and Mildred migrated to California in the early 1950's, settling in Lafayette, CA near several family members. As his career expanded with Bethlehem, they moved to Rolling Hills, CA in 1962; Sewickley, PA in 1965; Diablo, CA in 1966; and to Boyertown, PA in 1973. They moved to the Seattle area when he joined Isaacson Steel, and ultimately retired in Salem, OR. In each of these locations they made lifelong friends.

Bob is survived by his sister, Ellen "Billie" (Klitgaard) Campbell; his wife, Mildred, and their three children, Robert Klitgaard, Karin (Klitgaard) Lightner and William Klitgaard; as well as 7 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

At his request, there will not be a service. However, he suggested memorial contributions could be made in his name to: Serenity Helping Hands, 285 Liberty Street SE, Suite 320, Salem, OR, 97301. Assisting the family is Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.