Robert Bechtel Kleemeier

Though not a gambler, Bob beat the odds, living 59 years beyond the life expectancy he was given after being diagnosed at 21 with a rare cancer then considered “always fatal within two years.” That extraordinary gift of time became a life marked by purpose, friendship, adventure, humor, and love.

Bob was born in Avalon, California, and spent his early years in Orange Park, Florida, often barefoot and riding his horse King. After his father’s work as a psychologist took them to Bristol, England, for a year, the family settled in Kirkwood, Missouri. There Bob attended high school and discovered hurdling, a passion that stayed with him throughout life and led to a fourth-place national finish in the 50s age division at the National Masters Track and Field Championships.

In 1962, Bob entered DePauw University, where he majored in psychology, ran track, and joined Delta Chi fraternity. He formed lifelong friendships there and enjoyed serving as social chair, discovering his talent for throwing epic theme parties. During the fall of his senior year, he met Carol, a freshman sorority pledge who became the love of his life. They quickly recognized in each other a soulmate.

Months later Bob faced his own life-threatening illness in December, followed by the deaths of his parents in April and July of 1966. Concerns for his sisters, Lizz and Chris, also weighed heavily on him. That period of deep loss and uncertainty helped shape the stoic outlook that guided him throughout life.

Bob attended graduate school in clinical psychology at Purdue University and formed enduring friendships there. While there he and Carol married in 1967. After he received his Ph.D. in 1971, they moved to Atlanta, where Bob began work at the Georgia Mental Health Institute.

Bob later established the first child and adolescent mental health clinic in Gwinnett County. After four years, he returned to GMHI, where he became the first non-physician to direct the adolescent unit and helped establish an adjunct group home. In 1978, he and fellow psychologist Don Lollar opened a private practice in Atlanta, with Carol joining them in 1982.

Bob found his greatest professional fulfillment working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. His calm presence, gentle humor, and bag of magic tricks helped him connect with even the most reluctant clients. He also enjoyed serving as the Southeastern Regional Mental Health consultant for Job Corps, traveling throughout the rural South.

Wherever he worked, Bob drew people to him and built lasting relationships. In private practice, the staff who became like family allowed him to focus on the work he loved most. For Carol’s 60th birthday, he created a photo album titled Life Is a Journey Best Shared, a phrase that captured the way he lived throughout his life. He had a gift for making others feel valued, included, and supported; always finding ways to quietly extend help when needed.

Bob also knew how to have fun with family and friends and did so with style. He loved his signature hats and might show up for an event in southern seeksucker, linen shirts, or western wear. Whether skiing, snowboarding, bicycle touring, sailing, traveling with friends, or just relaxing at the lake, Bob savored all of these moments. He was often the unofficial photographer, preserving memories in photo albums and generously sharing them as gifts to others.

At home, Bob loved the many dogs and cats who shared his life. The dogs adored him; the cats tolerated him.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 59 years, Carol Portle Kleemeier; sisters, Christine Jeanette Kleemeier of Greenbelt, Maryland, and Elizabeth Lyle Kleemeier of Takoma Park, Maryland; sister-in-law, Joan Portle Abrahamsen of Colorado Springs, Colorado; brother-in-law, John Portle (Karen) of Boulder, Colorado; nephew, Mark Abrahamsen (Megan) of New Haven, Connecticut; nieces, Kristen Lawrence (Jessie) of Boulder, Colorado, and Tracy McArthur (Michael) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; great-nephews Owen and Kyle Abrahamsen of New Haven, Connecticut; great-nephew Gryffin Lawrence and great-niece Zailey Lawrence of Boulder, Colorado; and Twig, Ellie, and Sport of Atlanta, Georgia.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 9, at 2:00 p.m., with visitation from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., at H.M. Patterson & Son – Oglethorpe Hill Chapel, 4550 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30319.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Bob’s greatest legacy was not the obstacles he overcame, but the lives he enriched. He believed life is a journey best shared, and all who shared that journey with him are better for it.