William "Bill" Kloppenburg

William Kloppenburg June 8, 1933 – January 24, 2025 William Kloppenburg, 91, of Vero Beach, Florida went home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 24, 2025. He passed away peacefully with his children by his bedside. Bill was born on June 8, 1933 in the Bronx, NY to Beatrice and Francis Kloppenburg. There he spent his formative years attending All Hallows High School and Fordham University. Bill joined the Marines when he was 17 years old and graduated from Parris Island, one of his proudest accomplishments, cementing his lifelong connection to the Marine Corps. He rarely missed attending the annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball. This past November, as the oldest Marine in attendance, Bill had the honor of cutting the cake with the Mameluke sword. Following his time in the Marine Corps, Bill continued his mission to protect and serve as a police officer in the Bronx, NY. He eventually transitioned to a corporate career, spending the majority of his professional life as a salesman for 3M Company, from which he retired in 1996. While attending Westchester Community College, Bill met the love of his life, Catherine Smyth. Bill and Cathy married in 1958 and soon after started their family. After their fourth child was born, they decided it was time to move from their small two-bedroom apartment in Irvington, NY into their first home in Centereach, on Long Island. In 1983, Bill received a long-awaited company transfer and relocated to their beloved New Hartford, CT, where they lived for the next 33 years. Their lives were full and happy with cherished friendships they made at Bakerville United Methodist Church, gatherings with neighbors, warm sunny days spent with family and friends on West Hill Lake and winter escapes to Longboat Key in their retirement years. Bill's family brought him great joy, and he relished sharing his passions, wisdom, and playful sense of humor with all of them. He loved the water and provided his children with treasured memories of riding waves at Westhampton Beach, leisurely summers at the family cabin at Mohican Lake and boating on West Hill with his grandchildren. Throughout his life, Bill had various interests including sailing, swimming, reading and collecting books, investing, finding the "perfect" diet, and researching alternative treatments to help others suffering from illness. A year after Cathy, his beloved wife of 58 years, passed, Bill began a new adventure at age 84 when he moved to Vero Beach, Florida, where he enjoyed spending time with his son and daughter-in-law, occasional trips to the beach, reading on his lanai, and never missing the daily entertainment and happy hour with his newfound friends at The Regency. Bill embodied the values of integrity, ingenuity, and commitment throughout his life. He had a gentle soul and was always kind and considerate to everyone. His unwavering strength, sharp wit, and impish spirit left a lasting impact on all who knew him. Bill is survived by his loving children; his daughter Susan Whitbeck and her husband, Rich, of New Hartford, CT; his son William Kloppenburg, Jr. and his wife, Lauriann, of Vero Beach, FL; his daughter Barbara Kloppenburg of Southington, CT; his daughter Nancy Ulrich and her husband, Paul, of Arlington, MA; and his daughter Linda Gerosa and her husband, Ray, of Avon, CT; his seven cherished grandchildren, Alexandra, Jessica, Brennan, Amanda, Peter, Faith and Hope; and the newest addition to the family, his great granddaughter, Wells. He was preceded in death by his wife, Cathy, his parents, and his sister, Frances Hoffmann. A service honoring Bill's life and legacy will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 1:30 PM at Bakerville Church, New Hartford. Calling hours will also be held at Bakerville Church from 11 AM - 1 PM preceding the service. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Wounded Warriors Family Support in his memory. Montano-Shea Funeral Home, 5 Steele Road, New Hartford has care of the arrangements. Visit an online guestbook at montano-shea.com Semper Fidelis! To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of William "Bill", please visit our Tree Store.