Robert Allan Kline Jr.

Bob Kline, 83, “ran them off their feet” and finished his race on Friday, May 1, 2026, when he went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Bob was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on his mother’s birthday to parents Robert Allan Kline, Sr. and Eleanor Ruth Heck on September 4, 1942. Known in his youth as Bobby, his parents moved to Reading, PA when he was 3 years old, then later settled in Temple, PA. He graduated from Muhlenberg High School in 1960 and was very active in sports. He swam backstroke on the swim team, was the defensive half-back on the football team, and was a pitcher for the baseball team. He also learned to play the saxophone.

Bob graduated from Ohio University. Earlier he served in the U.S. Air Force from 1963-1967, where he was sent to Yale University to study Mandarin Chinese for intelligence and radio-intercept analysis for the National Security Agency. He served in West Pakistan for one year of his service. While in the military, Bob became a born again believer in Jesus through the witness and testimony of his best friend Bill Cord in August 1964. Bob’s favorite verse was John 3:16 because it shows God’s wonderful plan for salvation.

While at Columbia Bible College, Bob met and trained with the Navigators, a Christian missions organization. It was through the training of the Navigators where Bob found his passion to memorize God’s word and encourage others in the Lord, and that resulted in the blessing of many people. During this time, he also met his wife, Sandra C. Kline, through her brother and his best friend Bill. They were married on September 2, 1972, and had four precious children, Robert “Bob” Stephen, Thomas “Tom” Allan, Brian Andrew, and Kristen Anne. Bob was a member of Arlington Memorial Baptist Church while raising his children, and then later in his life he became a member of Maranatha Bible Church in Akron. As a profession, Bob spent many years in sales of various products including lawncare and telemarketing. 

Bob had a way of easily befriending strangers with his disarming array of dad jokes and riddles, and he loved nothing more than to share a laugh with his family and friends by telling a new joke he learned. Bob had a baritone voice and loved to sing. He also loved to play chess, to watch sports including the Cleveland Browns, Akron University’s soccer team and professional boxing, and to watch movies (namely his favorite Chariots of Fire). Later in life, Bob loved to review the over 400 Bible verses he memorized, to spend time with his loved ones, and to routinely call his family and friends as a way to minister and encourage them. He loved his sweets, namely a good banana split, Pennsylvania birch beer and shoefly pie, and his childhood favorite potato candy.

Bob is survived by his wife, Sandra; children, Bob (Grace) Kline, Tom (April) Kline, Brian Kline, Kristen (Roger) Robinson; sister Judith (Ken) Voss, brother Tim Kline; and grandchildren Makenzie, Olivia, Claire, Thomas, Scarlett, Cooper, Brenton, George, Edith, and Jack; and many extended family members.

Calling hours will be held Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with services immediately following at 1 p.m. at Maranatha Bible Church, 1424 Killian Road, Akron, Ohio 44312 with family friend Phil Ross officiating.  Upon completion of the service, interment will be held at Tallmadge Municipal Cemetery off the circle where military rites will be conducted by the local VFW.

The family wishes to thank the wonderfully skilled nurses, doctors, and staff at Akron Summa Hospital’s ICU for their excellent care.

Donations can be made to Maranatha Bible Church’s missions fund at www.mbc95.org.

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