Obituary

Robert F. Klaas, Sr.
Beloved Father, Friend, Uncle, and “Great” Uncle, Apache Junction, AZ
Robert F. Klaas, Sr. of Apache Junction, AZ, died Sunday, January 24, 2021, at
Mountain Vista Medical Center, Mesa, AZ. He was 80.
The youngest of 9 children, “Bob” grew up in Bergenfield NJ and attended
Bergenfield High School, where he sang in the choir. Although he enjoyed
this, his passion and love were ALWAYS for movies and movie making. He
spent his young adult years working at various movie theatres in Bergen
County, NJ before accepting a position as movie theatre manager for General
Cinema Theatres in Lehigh Valley, PA. He eventually was promoted to Area
Manager and relocated with GCC to Ohio. He finally returned to his Jersey
roots and became a Division and Regional Manager, working right up until his
retirement in 1996. In his spare time, Bob loved to take road trips with his
children and family all over the country, ride his Harley, attend Broadway and
theatre shows, and day trips to the Jersey Shore. Once he retired, he
relocated to Apache Junction, AZ to escape the NJ winters. He continued to
occupy his time by ushering at various theatres around the Phoenix Valley
and live out his life in the shadows of the majestic Superstition Mountains.
Bob leaves behind a large family who loved him dearly. Surviving is a
daughter Christina Corleto and her husband, Russell of Somerset, NJ., a son
Robert Klaas, Jr. and his wife, Jenny Tu-Klaas of Compton, California, his
“Sidekick and Shadow” Bob Brower of Apache Junction, AZ., sister Muriel
Graeber of Valois, NY and brother Eddie. In addition, “Uncle Bob” is also
survived by goddaughter and niece, Donna West and husband Kenny of
Queen Creek, AZ, nieces, Judy Cox and husband Wayne of Newark Delaware,
Lorraine Augustine and husband Ed, of Watkins Glen, NY, nephew Lee
Graeber also of Valois, NY, Kathy Barhydt of Lake Havasu, AZ, and Nancy
Hessian of Tucson, AZ. Lastly, he leaves behind many other great nieces and
nephews including Sandy Wood and husband Tim of Chandler, AZ, Sue
Bielecki and Tim also of Lake Havasu, AZ. and his beloved dogs Snowball and
Sheba. He is also pre-deceased by his former wife and friend Rosemary Klaas
in 2018.
A private memorial gathering will take place later in the year in Paramus, NJ.
Memorial gifts may be made in his name to the American Humane Society,
American Diabetes Association, or The Actors Fund.