Robert Klingensmith Obituary

Lt. Col. Robert J. Klingensmith USAF (Ret.) March 30, 1925 - September 26, 2007. Lt. Col. Robert J. Klingensmith, USAF, (Ret.), age 82, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 26, 2007. He was born March 30, 1925 to Robert and Harriet Klingensmith in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A member of the greatest generation, he proudly served his country from 1943 to 1973 during WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Bob loved flying. He was one of the youngest pilots ever commissioned at 18 years and nine months (Class 44A). He risked his life for his country, flying 133 combat missions in the Pacific theatre and 121 combat missions in South East Asia. He piloted the Stearman (solo, May, 1943), BT-13, AT-6, P-40, P-51, F-80, B-25, F-86 (A, D, E, F, L), C-47, T-39, F-102, F-105 and F-106. As a tow pilot at the Air Force Academy, he piloted the Beaver, Piper Archer II and Super Cub, resulting in over 34,000 tows. Overall, he accumulated 16,000 hours of flight time, 900 of which were in combat. He was awarded 34 decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Award, 11 Air Metals and the Asiatic- Pacific with 8 Battle Stars.Bob was a loving husband, father, brother and friend. His generous, kind spirit will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife Miriam, daughter Lynn and her husband Mike Gebhardt, daughter Kathy and her husband Don Pedersen, son Mike and his wife Brenda, son Mark and his wife Liz, son Richard and Dee Grammer, son David, son Joe and his wife Melissa, son Tom and his wife Jodi, daughter Nancy and her husband Marc Williams. He adored his 19 grandchildren: Matt, Stephanie, David, Ryan, Nick, Joey, Katie, Jon, Amy, Emily, Ceara, Crystal, Heather, Jessica, Sarah, Josh, Luke, Nick and Kristen, and his one great grand child Niaya. He is also survived by his sister Jane Kirk and brother Frank Klingensmith. A visitation will be held Monday, October 1, 2007 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Shrine of Remembrance "American the Beautiful Chapel of Roses". A vigil and rosary service will follow beginning at 7:00 PM in the chapel. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at 9:00 AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel (Peterson AFB) to celebrate his life. A reception will follow at the Club (Peterson AFB). Please contact an immediate family member if you need assistance accessing Peterson AFB. A grave side service with Air Force honors will be held at 2:00 PM at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colorado, Staging Area A. Memorials can be made to the Air Force Association or Catholic Charities.