Robert Edward Edward Klingbeil, M.D. M.D.

Elm Grove- Robert Edward Klingbeil, M.D., 96, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on August 2nd, 2025 after a brief illness. Bob now joins his beloved wife of 68 years, Gerda E Klingbeil, M.D., who passed away a few months ago.

Bob was the loving father of Mark (Mary Ann), Bruce, Dean (Lynn), Eric, and David (Mary) Klingbeil. He will be fondly remembered by his grandchildren Anna, Catherine, Ben, Eva, and Lily Klingbeil.

Bob is preceded in death by parents Edward and Eva Klingbeil, in-laws Paul and Magdalena Galambos, beloved infant son Bruce, wife Gerda, brothers-in-law Bill and Charlie Galambos, and sister-in-law Barbara Galambos.Bob was born just before the start of the Great Depression in Detroit Lakes Minnesota on October 15, 1928. Growing up, he moved with his family from one rural farm town to another, following jobs in Minnesota and North Dakota. His other "hometowns" included Whapeton ND, Fergus Falls MN, Rugby ND, Devils Lake ND, Jamestown ND,and Fargo ND. At the age of 17 upon graduating high school, Bob started USMC basic training in San Diego. Following boot camp, he trained in aviation maintenance; at the end of WWII he accepted the GI bill offer and attended pharmacy school at North Dakota State University. After graduating, he began premed school at UND, where he met and married Gerda in 1956. Bob subsequently graduated medical school at the University of Illinois, Chicago in 1957. He then moved to the Milwaukee area where he completed an anesthesia residency. Dr. Klingbeil described his job as 99% boredom punctuated by 1% moments of sheer terror. He noted that most of his career was spent sitting on a hard stool passing gas. Such was Bob's dry sense of humor. He practiced his entire career as an anesthesiologist at St Joseph's Hospital in Milwaukee until his retirement on May 17th, 1993.

His hobbies included camping, fishing, birding, and photography while on his extensive travels with his family. After retirement Bob's favorite pastime was following and investing in the stock market. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, while continuing to travel the world with Gerda. Their travels took them to all seven continents, with stops in Antarctica and the Arctic at Svalbard Norway. Visits to India were his favorite.

Visitation at the Funeral Home on Saturday, August 9, 2025 10AM-1230PM. Funeral Service at 1230PM. Burial to follow at Pinelawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission would be greatly appreciated.