Former Yorktown Resident Robert M. Klopfenstein Dies At 90

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY — Robert (Bob) M. Klopfenstein passed away December 23, 2018, in Burien, Washington, at the age of 90. Bob was born February 27, 1928, into a family of four boys in Aberdeen, South Dakota, where he was raised. He took his first piano lessons in the fourth grade and later studied piano and business administration at Northern State College and the University of Minnesota.

From 1951-53, Bob served in the U.S. Army, attending officers’ candidate school and achieving the rank of Second Lieutenant and subsequently serving in the Quartermaster Corps. When the Korean War ended, Bob returned to civilian life and worked as a buyer and manager in a variety of large retail department stores in Minneapolis and New York City, including Saks Fifth Avenue and Abercrombie & Fitch.

In the late 1970s, Bob left Manhattan and moved his career to Westchester County eventually settling in Yorktown Heights. During this time, Bob, along with his close friend, Martin Cooley, obedience trained their two Shetland sheepdogs, Piper and Perky, and participated in the local dog show circuit.

In 1993, Bob moved to the west coast settling in the Seattle area at Wesley Homes in Des Moines, WA. At Wesley, he volunteered for a long list of responsibilities involving every area of resident life. In 1996, Bob married Evelyn McCandliss who predeceased him in 2010. Bob survived quadruple bypass heart surgery in 2011 but that did not lessen his volunteer participation in the Wesley community.

He was well known for his enthusiastic participation and joyful spirit. Bob was preceded in death by his brothers Ralph, Wayne and Leonard as well as his parents, Peter and Florence. He is survived by his step-daughter Jan Gunderson, step-son Bruce (Marcie) McCandliss, step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Kristina K. (Charles) Miller (NJ), Jeffrey (Nancy Cullen) Klopfenstein (IA), Peter (Gloria) Klopfenstein (CA), Carol Klopfenstein (WA), Christopher Klopfenstein (WA), and David (Susie) Klopfenstein (SD), and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Bob’s ashes will join those of his wife at Washington Memorial Park. Remembrances in lieu of flowers may be made to the Wesley Homes Circle of Concern.

Photo credit: Submitted.