Obituary of Robert Michael Klein, Sr.

Robert “Bob” Michael Klein, Sr. passed away on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer. Just as he dealt with things in life, he managed his illness with strength and grace and wanted to spend as much time with his loved ones as possible. He maintained his “One day at a time” and positive attitude without waiver.

Bob was born June 23, 1932 in Brooklyn, New York to Benjamin and Genevieve Piechocki Klein.  He served in the U.S. Marines during the Korean War.  After his return, he married Theresa McKeown in 1956 and they had two children, Robert Klein Jr. and Donna Klein Mowzcan, before Theresa’s death in 1966.  Bob married Carole Barone in 1970 and two children were borne of that union, Jeffrey Klein and Cara Klein.  

Bob battled a compulsive gambling addiction until he joined Gamblers Anonymous on October 17, 1970 and embarked on a career of service in that organization, serving first as Executive Director of the New Jersey Council on Compulsive Gambling and later as Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Committee on Problem Gambling, Inc., and was a gambling consultant at the Philadelphia Psychiatric Hospital. Bob spoke before various state legislatures about gambling addiction during their hearings on adding state lotteries and co-authored studies on youth and gambling and on prisoners, gambling, and crime. He was passionate in helping others that had also been inflicted with this illness.

Bob acquired a Masters Degree in Social Services and was a Program Manager for the Burke-Taylor & Associates EAP in North Carolina.  He spent much of his life working with youth well into their adulthoods.  

Bob was a devoted father, and nothing was more important to him than family.  He had a love of sports and was a big fan of the NY Giants, Dodgers and would give an occasional “go Mets” shout. He enjoyed playing cards, listening and dancing to his favorites like Sinatra and Big Band music, and would never turn down pizza and a cheesesteak at his favorite Italian Pizzeria or chocolate cake. He met each day with gratitude and the mentality of “stop to smell the roses”.  His humor, positivity, and kindness will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Theresa, and his sisters Marion Delgardio (Joseph) and Lucille Molina (Hector).  Left to remember him are his former wife Carole, his children, Robert (Kathy) Klein Jr, Donna Klein Mowzcan, Jeffrey (Rachel) Klein, and Cara Klein, Grandchildren Elizabeth Klein Trovillion, Tyler Klein, Camryn Klein, and Jeffery Syper,  as well as his nieces and nephew, Gina Delgardio, Lisa Delgardio Siracusa, and Joseph  Delgardio Jr.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 11, 2022 at St. Thomas More Chapel Hill with the family receiving friends from 12:30 – 2:00pm. Mass will follow the visitation, starting at 2:30pm. 

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