Robert L. Kline

Master Chief Navy Counselor (SW) Robert Leon Kline, U. S. Navy Retired, of Jacksonville, departed Friday, February 17, 2017. The son of Paul Klein and Grace Sweeney of Waterbury, CT, Bob retired from the Navy in 1987 after serving 30 years. He graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1952 and joined the Navy in 1957, serving as an assault boat coxswain in USS Chilton (APA-38). After converting to Yeoman, he served in London, Pensacola, USS Mauna Kea (AE-22), MCAS Iwakuni, VR-30, where he was promoted to Chief, Charleston, Orlando, COMDESRON 14 and NS Mayport. He converted to Navy Counselor and was instrumental in NS Mayport being awarded Silver and Gold Anchors for retention. He was promoted to Senior Chief and Retention Team Manager for COMCRUDESGRU 12, where he and his team of 33 Command Career Counselors created new programs and provided training for thousands of Sailors, achieving retention rates which surpassed those of larger stations in Norfolk and Charleston. He was promoted to Master Chief in 1985, and retired from COMHELWINGSLANT. Awards include Navy and Marine Corps Commendation and Achievement Medals, Vietnam Service and Gallantry Cross, Expeditionary, Sea Service and National Defense Medals.

After retiring from the Navy, Bob’s recruiting efforts with Auto Zone were key to establishing new stores in Florida and Georgia. An avid car buff, he enjoyed auto sales for Coggin Nissan and service writing for Buddy Hutchinson Pontiac, and he enjoyed boat and yacht sales with Alpha Boat Works and Dick Boger. He loved cruising the Caribbean each year with family and friends, and will be dearly missed. May all your sunsets be red.

Bob is survived by his loving wife Carol, daughters Robin (Mike) Arrington and their son Michael, Tracey (Rick) Abrams, son Robert Kline, sisters Lois (Phil) Ercoli and Anita (Bilanchone) Adams and their families, his Mayport Mafia brothers and sisters, and dear friends and family.

Visitation from 3 PM to 6 PM on Sunday, February 26, 2017, at Chapel Hills Funeral Home, 830 St. Johns Bluff Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32225. Mass to be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, February 27, 2017, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 11665 Ft. Caroline Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32225, followed by burial with Military Honors at 1:30 PM at Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Rd, Jacksonville 32218. Donations to Community Hospice Northeast Florida are welcomed.