Robert (Bob) Elwood Kluting

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Category: Obituaries

Created on Friday, 25 October 2013 13:25

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Robert (Bob) Elwood Kluting passed away on Oct. 22, 2013, at SEARHC-Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with cancer.
A memorial service will be held at Sitka Lutheran Church, 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28. A reception will be held at the church following the service.
Bob was born on April 24, 1943, in Winslow, Ariz. His childhood was filled with fond memories and numerous adventures with the Kluting family.  He and his parents moved to Skagway, where he graduated from high school.  They later relocated to Sitka.
Bob attended college at Sheldon Jackson and the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.
In 1962 he met Phyllis Bergdoll, and in 1966 they were married at the Bergdoll family home in Sitka.
His work history includes having worked for the Alaska Railroad, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Alaska Pulp Company, and State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. In the late 1960s and early 1970s he and Phyllis owned and operated Sitka Printing.
He retired from the state in 2001.
Bob was a volunteer firefighter for the Sitka Fire Department for 19 years and retired as the captain of Company A. He is remembered by his nickname “Sling Pack.”
He achieved lifetime membership status with both the Sitka Fire Department and Alaska State Firefighters Association. He was also a life member and active board member of the Sitka Sportsman’s Association for 25-plus years.  During his tenure with the organization he served as president, treasurer, and coach for the Sitka High School Rifle Team.
He also made significant contributions to the success of the annual Sitka Salmon Derby. 
Bob’s greatest joy in his life was time spent with his family. Bob was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, shooting and telling stories of his many adventures.
He also had a great love for Harley Davidson motorcycles.
He will be remembered for his significant service to the community and his positive can-do outlook on life. He will be greatly missed by many.
He was preceded in death by his wife Phyllis; his parents Chester and Edna Aufrecht Kluting; sister Louise Rickards; brother Harold Keeney; father-in-law Frank Bergdoll; niece Barbara Bergdoll; and close family friend James Dwyer.
He is survived by his son Donald (Karen) Kluting; daughter Sherry (Jay) Clifton; grandchildren Trevor and Logan Kluting and Thomas and Grace Clifton; mother-in-law Pauline Bergdoll; brother-in-law Barry Bergdoll; and sister-in-law Linda (Art) Bergdoll-Schmidt.
He also is survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and nieces on the Kluting, Aufrecht and Bergdoll sides.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Sitka Mountain Rescue, 330 Harbor Drive, Sitka, Alaska, or the Sitka Fire Department Aid to Volunteer Fund, 209 Lake Street, Sitka, Alaska.