Dr. Robert John De Klotz

Dr. Robert J. De Klotz, born in 1928, and raised in Twin Falls, ID, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 1, 2015. His passion and commitments to medicine and social services spanned the last half of the Twentieth Century.

Bob held Bachelor of Science degrees from Idaho State University in both Pharmacy, with honors in 1951, and in Zoology in 1955. Between earning his undergraduate accolades, Bob enlisted and served in the United States Army for three years. He was stationed with the 163rd Infantry at Ft. Ord and the 101st Infantry Division at Ft. Holabird. He was discharged as a Sergeant First Class from Ft. Meade in 1954.

After graduation from the University of Kansas Medical School, and marrying Lila, the love of his life, in 1959, Bob spent six years in post graduate residencies and fellowships at Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland, OR, and Stanford, turned Presbyterian Hospital in San Francisco, CA before settling down and practicing as a Urologist in Fresno, CA for 42 years.

Bob was past Chief of Surgery and President of the Medical Staff at Valley Children's Hospital, as well as Chief of Urology at Valley Medical Center, teaching residents and caring for VMC patients. He was also the Chairman of the Urology division at St. Agnes Medical Center from 1989 to 1990. Bob served as historian for the American Urological Association, and was instrumental in the formation of the urological antiquities collection which bears his name and is currently on display at the William P. Didusch Center for Urologic History in Maryland, VA.

Bob exemplified the highest ideals of his profession and brought an innate sensitivity and diplomacy to interaction with people, these inherent qualities won him the respect, admiration and friendship of a widely diverse public. His commitment to personal and institutional integrity was legendary. In addition to medicine, his curiosity and zest for life drove him to embrace interests that ranged from hunting, fishing, skiing and automobile restoration, to farming grapes, pistachios, and almonds in the San Joaquin Valley. His greatest fulfillment came as an adored and revered husband, father and grandfather. His broad and sustaining influence will continue to echo through future generations whose lives his work and his presence have blessed.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Jeanne "Jane"; brother Richard; sisters, Marilyn and Alice; and his spouse Lila.

He is survived by his children, Franz and his wife Judy, and Karl and his wife Olena; and his grandchildren, Emerson, Parker, Lloyd and

Olivia.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Saint George Greek Orthodox Church, 2219 N. Orchard, Fresno, CA 93703, on Saturday, March 21, 2015, at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Valley Children's Hospital, PC17 Foundation, 9300 Valley Children's Place, Madera, CA

93636.