Robert "Bob" Blaine Klenk

Robert “Bob” Blaine Klenk, 96, can now rest as he has been called home by our Heavenly Father. Bob was born June 2, 1926, in Phoenixville, PA, to the late Charles F. and Leila S. (Wilson) Klenk, Sr. He was married to the love of his life, Loretta R. Klenk for 75 years, and Bob and Loretta lived in Phoenixville most of their life, retiring to Chattanooga in 1988.

Bob was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944 at the age of 18. After training he was assigned to Co F 63rd Infantry Regimental Combat Team, 6th Infantry Division, as a rifleman. He served in the Pacific on the Island of Luzon and helped liberate the Philippines from the Japanese. His next assignment was in Korea. Awards he received included the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Achievement, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/2 Battle Stars, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Independence Medal, and Philippine Liberation. Discharged in the fall of 1946, he returned home, finished his high school education, and married Loretta in August 1947. Bob’s career started at the Phoenixville Iron Company in Phoenixville and continued with the Pennsylvania National Guard. He retired with almost 34 years of military service. Bob is a life member of American Legion Post 95, the DAV, and the VFW. He was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, William L. Yerger, Sr., John W. Yerger, Sr., Joseph W. Klenk and Vincent Klenk; sisters, Thelma Jeannette Force and Margaret Hartzell; great-grandson, Kyler B. Evans; and son-in-law, Alan B. Thompson, Sr.

Loved ones left to cherish his wonderful memories are his beloved Loretta; brother, Charles F. Klenk Jr. (Eleanor); daughter, Beverly Pellicciotti (Thomas) of Swedesburg, PA; daughter, Roberta “Bobbie” Thompson of Chattanooga; granddaughter, Susan New Walter (Steve) of Harmonyville, PA; grandson, Dr. Alan B. Thompson, Jr. (Erika) of Portland, OR; granddaughter, Jennifer Thompson Bondurant (Scot) of Murfreesboro, TN and great-grandchildren, Sydni and Noah Gajewski, Skylar and Juliana Thompson, Karsten, Kylie and Braden Evans, and Zoie and Riley Bondurant.

Relatives and friends are invited…

Funeral services will be 12:00 pm Thursday, October 27, 2022 in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow the services at Chattanooga National Cemetery with full Military Honors. Family will receive friends from 10:00 am until time of service Thursday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s memory may be made to Hearth Hospice, 513 Georgia Avenue, Chattanooga, TN, 37403, or the charity of your choice. The family would like to thank The Lantern at Morning Pointe and Hearth Hospice for their loving care.

Please share your memories of Bob with the family at www.chattanoogaeastbrainerdchapel.com

Arrangements are by the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 8214 E. Brainerd Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37421.