Rev. Robert Charles Klemm

Rev. Robert C. Klemm
February 25, 1935 - September 16, 2024
Rev. Robert Charles Klemm was called to be with his Lord and Savior on September 16, 2024. He passed away peacefully at his home in Oviedo, Florida after a lifetime of ministering to everyone he met in and outside of the church. He is known for connecting, loving, and sharing God's love with others.
Robert Klemm was a devoted husband and loving father. He was predeceased by his first wife, Helen Wasch Klemm, and his brothers Willard and Le Roy Klemm and brother-in-law William Wasch. He is survived by his wife, of 46 years, Patricia K. Gentile Klemm, and his children; Douglas Gentile, Robert K. Klemm, Karen Klemm Burtnett, Jonathan Klemm, and Karl Klemm, along with their families. He was a playful grandfather to his grandchildren; Kalah, Lauren, Helen, Lena, Demitria, Parker, Kristin, Elsa, and Anna, and one great-grandchild, Memphis. He was adored by many nieces and nephews. Robert prioritized bringing his family together with cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and loved ones from all over the country.
Following the unexpected passing of his father when he was only three years old, Robert grew up among extended family, working on his Uncle Herman's farm in northwest New Jersey. After graduating high school, he attended Concordia Collegiate Institute in Bronxville, New York, and went on to seminary at the Concordia Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, graduating in 1961. He was called to Vicar in Lansing, Illinois, followed by his first Pastorship at Immanuel Lutheran in Manchester, New Hampshire. Here with his first wife, Helen, they welcomed their first two children; Bobby and Karen. He accepted a call to Trinity Lutheran in Delray Beach, Florida where Jonathan and Karl were born. After serving there for 11 years, he accepted a call to Immanuel Lutheran Preston, Maryland, followed by 11 years at Our Savior Lutheran in Topsfield, Massachusetts. Pastor Bob finished his career as Pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Blairstown, New Jersey until his retirement in 2000, when he began his work with Food for the Poor.
As a Pastor, he was fond of building relationships with both members of the congregation and people within the community, especially those in need. These connections defined his ministry. Civic duty was also important as he held leadership or board positions for many organizations including the Greater Manchester Ministerial Association (President), Kiwanis Club, Delray Beach Clergy Association (President), Elder Care, Palm Glades Council of Girl Scouts, South County Mental Health Association, Circuit Counselor of Palm Beach District, Florida-Georgia District for the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS), Vice President of the New Jersey District for the LCMS, Caroline County Mental Health Advisory Board, Preston Maryland Ministers Association (President), and the New England District Pastoral Conference Counselor. His passion centered on providing direct service to those in need, including his roles as the Protestant chaplain of ministries at the Essex County Correctional Facility and the chaplain at the Manchester Veteran Administration Medical Center. He led and served, accepting people as they were, trusting in God's love above all.
During his tenure as a Pastor, he grew Lutheran parishes with new buildings in New Hampshire, Florida, Massachusetts and New Jersey as well as implementing a refugee resettlement ministry in Florida and in Massachusetts. A strong advocate for the church's global mission, he spent several years in his retirement preaching on behalf of Food for the Poor in Lutheran churches throughout the country, with mission trips to Haiti and Nicaragua. He humbly accepted his gifts of pastoring people, as well as expanding the Lutheran church in mission work. Pastor Bob rarely took credit for any of the work he did, citing only the Lord's hand in the churches and missions he served.
Active and outgoing, Robert enjoyed many special pastimes including swimming, singing, biking, camping, boating, golfing, poultry raising, and gardening. Robert always had a family dog by his side, which sometimes was problematic for the pet rabbits, chicken and geese. He inherited a beautiful singing voice from his father, Le Roy who sang in Carnegie Hall. Robert loved to sing in church, at home, in the shower, in the community, and beyond. More formally, he enjoyed participating in choral groups and choirs within his church and community throughout his life. He loved swimming at the YMCA where he could also be found chatting with the people in his lane, in the sauna, at the front desk, or even in the parking lot! A gracious host and guest, he never missed a potluck dinner and was a master of inviting others to an impromptu get-together centered around a meal and the Lord's blessings. Robert accumulated friendships from his seminary days and in each parish he served over the years. His many travels across the country always included stops to visit friends and family and to marvel in the beauty of God's creation. He was a fun and joyful person.
His family is grateful for his 89 beautiful and faithful years of love and guidance. Robert's genuine kindness, unconditional love, and unwavering faithfulness is an example for all who knew him. We celebrate his reunion with his Lord.
The family wishes to thank Lutheran Haven and VITAS Hospice Care for their gentle care of Robert. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Blairstown, NJ, Food for the Poor, or Rev. R C Klemm legacy at Lutheran Haven to continue his love for bringing the gospel to people.
All are invited to November 16th service at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Oviedo, Florida at 11:00am. An additional celebration of Robert's life is planned in March of 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Delray Beach, Florida.