
RECEIVED ON OCTOBER 30, 2019 from Joe Tripi
ROBERT KLEINDINST
Ron, I’m sorry to tell you that Bob has past away. I received a call from his son, James, this evening. Apparently the neighbors hadn’t noticed any activity about the house for the last day or two, called the police, who found him. Nothing more is known at this point. As you may know, Bob lived alone with his dog , Ruger, and was retired from the wood window industry. He was a Vietnam Nam veteran and Purple Heart recipient. I’ll keep you posted as I learn more.
REST IN PEACE, BOB
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Ken Brickell
He was a really great guy and will be missed...god bless
Lawrence Kling
Good bye Bob. You are deeply missed. Ruger will look for you at the Rainbow Bridge.Joe Tripi
SEMPER FIDELIS
Bob and I first met at Hoover and our friendship was forged beating each other up on the football fields of Kenmore West. After graduation we lost touch until the late eighties when a chance meeting at TED'S resulted in an exchange of numbers. I never expected to hear from him again, but since that day, he called me at least every month for over thirty years.
We talked of many things, and it was abundantly clear that he'd been beaten up and beaten down by life and war. In spite of that, he was always positive, expressing loyalty to his son, his high school, the Marines and his God.
Friendships wax and wane over time, we're lucky to have but a few. Over sixty years I was honored and privileged Bob considered me his friend. I'll miss those phone calls... ALWAYS FAITHFUL
John Flynn
My heart is heavy this week after hearing about Bobby. It has taken me awhile to get my thoughts together. I like Bob am a Vietnam Veteran. Bob was a Marine and fought at the siege of Khe Sanh. We would talk from time to time about the "Nam" and our shared experience's there. We would talk on a regular basis and the topic of our high school days almost always came up. He loved his time at Kenmore West and the friends from the class of 1964. I was fortunate to visit with him in 2015 and he wanted to toss a football around with me and visit. Marge fixed a great German meal which he loved and we sat around a campfire and enjoyed each other's company. Little did I know that would be the last time I would see my friend Bob Kleindinst. I will miss him and our weekly talks, he was a great friend. "Semper Fi" Marine....
Jim Gelley
Sorry to hear about Bob- another vet gone
Barbara Taylor (Green)
Bob would probably be very surprised at the reaction we all had at his passing but as John Huttenlocker put it he was a "gentle soul" and that made him so easy to like. Again I say all you guys who stayed friends with him all these many many years should be proud and know you gave him peace in his heart that he had sincere friendships that lasted to the end. Kudos fellas.
Bruce Bowling
We are better to have had the honor to know him and the world is better to have had him here.
Barbara Taylor (Green)
So sad to find out from James that Bob's dogRuger was taken to animal shelter.
Nancy Bishop (Wittman)
So sorry to have heard of losing another friend for school ! But is guess we are at the age now where you just never know when our time on earth is up ! God Bless our class with good health and longevity and always great friendships to last our life time ! RIP Bob we will all see you again one day !
John Burniston
I was saddened when Joe Tripi advised me of Bob's passing. Although, I reconnected with Bob at our 25th reunion, unfortunately, we lost touch. A few years later, my friend, Marty de Vries Major called and asked me to contact Bob. I did and we rekindled our friendship. We stayed in touch weekly, monthly or whenver we could for the last 25 years.
Bob really appreciated the other friends that had remained in contact with him, Mike Herman, Al Eimiller, Jerry Tutweiler, Joe Tripi and John Flynn.
On the good days, Bob would talk about his Kenmore West days, and how those were some of the best days of his life. He believed that his classmates were good, kind, and special people.
On the hard days, he would talk about Viet Nam. The war had been very tough on Bob. But most of the time, the good day memories would overshadow the bad.
On his good day talks, he would reminisce about playing drums to accompany Lee Steiger and Jerry Kaiser. He also talked about how he loved to play baseball. He discovered he could sketch, and liked talking about his latest.artwork. He would often give them as gifts.
Over the years, Joe Tripi, John Flynn and I would encourage him to continue his hobbies, and occasionally send him art supplies, momentos of high school - photos and other items he might enjoy. I'll miss talking with him, and miss the funny messages he would leave on my voice mail. But I'll always cherish the memories of this kind and gentle soul.
Rest in peace, my friend.
JB