ROBERT RAYMOND KLEM

Condolences & Memories (11 entries)

• I first met Rob playing pool at the Club Soda in Windsor Park. Little did I know this would be the beginning of a 30 year friendship. As a wild kid he was like the big brother I never had. Trying to teach me how to be cool, how to stick up for myself, how to treat others; even when they might not be your kind of folks... He was with me when I got the news my Dad had died; a moment in life you don't forget. I'm glad I had him to lean on in that moment, it would have been easy to go off the rails without him being there... My fondest memories will always be the 2 trips we took to Amsterdam together, especially when he celebrated his 50th birthday; even being 9 years his junior, he was hard to keep up with! Rest in peace brother, you will be missed. - Posted by: Paul Bickford (Friend) on: Jun 05, 2024

• I am so sad to just now hear of Robs passing. I met him in 1991. He was a great friend. Always so happy and fun! Always greeted me with hey Yvonneski.. give me a hug:). My best memory was at Falcon Lake, everyone was inside having some beverages and he took me outside and said “do you want to see something amazing?” It was pitch black outside! We laid down on the deck face up looking into the sky full of stars. We shared our thoughts about space and how beautiful it was! We saw shooting stars! Being a city girl I never forgot how the stars were so amazing that night! It seemed like we could reach out and touch them! Rob thank you for taking me out there that night! When I look to the skies I will think of you! Rest in eternal peace my friend ♥️ Condolences to Rob’s family and friends. - Posted by: Yvonne St. Laurent (Friend) on: Jul 04, 2021

• Rob was a great friend of mine while growing up in Windsor Park. I share many of the same fond memories of Rob that others from our old Windsor Park gang have already posted. Rest In Peace Robbie! - Posted by: Craig Hancock (Friend) on: Jun 01, 2021

• Uncle Rob was always there for me. He would've given the shirt off of his back for a total stranger AND then explained to them, in great detail and with some of it being a little loud, how to avoid getting into that situation in the future, because he cared so much for people. Uncle Rob would come over, sometimes with Dennis, and we would play guitar for hours and hours. Neither of us having taken any lessons, encouraged each other and did our best to learn from one another. I will never forget these special times and I have a hard time imagining anything that I will experience in my life will have the same wholesome, happy, warm and comforting feeling. Uncle Rob was music. When he quit smoking cigarettes he found, to his delight, that he had a singing voice and it was wonderful! Uncle Rob introduced me to a lot of music that I now love, like the Marshall Tucker Band and John Prine. Uncle Rob loved going to music festivals and concerts! He loved local music and would always support it when given the opportunity. I can't wait until we can play Can't You See again together. I love you Uncle Rob. - Posted by: Dean (Uncle Rob's Nephew) on: May 05, 2021

• Rob was a rock to me. ALWAYS HAD GOOD ADVICE I'M PROUD TO HAVE KNOWN ROB IN OUR FAMILY for most of my life 💜❤I'm saddened by the loss of a special man thanks for all the games, singing, laughs. Uncle Jim I'm with u till we have 🍪on the other side rest in peace my friend - Posted by: Lita (Jim brown niece lita) on: May 04, 2021

• I grew up with Robbie, he lived next door to me. He was a very good friend - just a great guy to grow up with. Robbie and I grew up together. He moved away to to live with his Mom and Dad, tragically, Robbie moved back not that long after. Robbie lost his Mom and Dad in a tornado, in an instant - at a very young age, just in the middle of his teens - I cannot imagine that pain and torment of that event in his life, it's indescribable. Even back then, Robbie didn't talk about it that much, Robbie was sensitive but he was very stoic, very tough on the outside, but a very tender soul - that always shone through his soft eyes. Later in my teens I hung out with Robbie at his loving and caring sister, Pat's house where he now had moved back to - beside my house. Lots of laughs and music shared with Pat, Robbie and her sons. Pat ran the family catering business and I worked there on the weekends with Robbie - he taught me how to work the 3 on the tree tranny on the catering van. We played tons of hockey, football - I wasn't into cards as much as the other guys - but it doesn't surprise me that Robbie was good at cards - Robbie had an amazing mathematical mind - always did. I hadn't spoken to Robbie in almost 40 years - so reading these tributes, it warms my heart to hear that Robbie took up the guitar - back then, I was just starting to be able to play the guitar okay - Robbie more than encouraged me - we would sing Neil Young and Gordon Lightfoot songs. Music!!! Robbie WAS music!!! Here is my favourite Robbie story. My Dad, now passed, loved Robbie, however, Robbie would sometimes more than try his patience. Picture this .....summer ... Windsor Park...HOT...my Mom and I are watching Robbie take one speaker and put in on the corner of the lawn and then take the other speaker and put it closer to the steps - long speaker wire to the lawn one. Once set up - Robbie put on Frank Marino and Mahagony Rush - at about 6.5db - meaning - Robbie could HEAR Frank Marion OVER the gas lawnmower!!! So here is Robbie, happy as a clam, doin the lawn as Mahogony Rush cracks the windows down Bernier Bay - sure enough, my Dad comes out "ROBBIE!!! WHAT THE #$%@%#$%@ ARE YOU DOING!!!" How could you not love Robbie? Robbie left this world way too young and he shouldered way more of a load at a young age that many of us have experienced. He truly was a fun and beautiful being that blessed my life. Robbie lives in me in memory, and those memories are extremely deep. I love you my brother, the best trip to you, long may you run. - Posted by: Terry Phelps (Friend) on: May 03, 2021

• I was friend of Rob who also played poker and drank beer and listened to music with him and the group of other guys that Glenn mentioned in his comment. I met Rob through Glenn and that's how we became friends. Rob's nickname as I recall was hen. One summer a bunch of us went up north to fish, Jim one of the guys decided Rob should come also, he went over to the house and dragged him out of bed, he protested but he did come with us. We were gone for a week but we looked after him. It was a good time. I haven't seen Rob in years but maybe we can have a card game on the other side and will buy you a pack of Rothmans. Rest in peace my friend. I will truly miss you. - Posted by: eric oman (friends) on: May 03, 2021

• This really brings a tear to my eye hearing this. Robbie was such a good friend (he had many) in our earlier years as we spent countless hours and days together working catering deliveries, camping at the beach or just hanging around. He was uniquely cheerful, positive, and fun loving and that is the only way I can imagine he always would stay. Condolences to Pat, Debbie and the rest of the family. Very Sad. Wayne - Posted by: Wayne (Friend) on: May 03, 2021

• Robbie was a good friend. He inspired me. He kept me honest. Beat me in pool and had a singing voice. He was always there for you. Robbie love you. My condolences to your family. So sorry. Robbie I will see you later rest in pease. - Posted by: Dennis (Friend ) on: May 01, 2021

• Robbie and I were best of friends back in the day. He was the friend I brought to our cabin at Brereton Lake. I learned to play poker and drink beer at Pat’s house on Bernier Bay with Robbie a great group of guys. We played road hockey in the winter and football in the summer at Vincent Massey Park. He was a good friend, a best friend. Rest well and Godspeed. Glenn - Posted by: Glenn Ankrom (Friends) on: May 01, 2021

• I am very sorry to hear of the loss of Rob. He was one of a kind. Rob loved a good game of pool, great music and a glass of wine. R.I.P. my friend. 🍻 - Posted by: Sandi (Friend) on: May 01, 2021