Share Service Information for Rev. Fr. Robert Klee

Obituary

Father Robert Arthur Klee, age 85, of Columbus, died February 21, 2006. He was ordained a priest of the Catholic Church on April 2, 1949, and served in the Diocese of Columbus until suffering a broken hip in November of 2003. He was pastor, priest in residence, or served at, among other parishes, Our Lady of Lourdes in Otway, St. Philip Neri in Murray City, Holy Trinity in Pond Creek, St. Gabriel, Corpus Christi, Christ the King, Immaculate Conception, and St. Margaret of Cortona. He also served as Retreat Director at St. Theresa’s Shrine from 1966 to 1972. From 1961 until 1964, as a pioneer in the TV religious ministry, he hosted the "This is Your Life" series (approximate name), which consistently garnered the top viewer rating for its time slot. The show, which aired in central Ohio, was widely admired and for some time he was known as the "Bishop Fulton J. Sheen of Columbus." His deep love for the Church and the Mass was evident in his life and homilies. He also fostered a real concern for Catholic social teaching in that he advocated true economic reform of unjust monetary practices in the world economy. Preceded in death by his father, Arthur Klee; mother, Louise O'Brien Klee; sister-in-law, Dorothy Dubes Klee; brother-in-law, Don Woodruff. He is survived by his brother, William Klee; sister, Joan Woodruff; nieces, Mary Klee-Totten and Anne Kasper; nephews, Fr. Joseph Klee (the other Fr. Klee), and John Klee. Friends may call Sunday, February 26th, 2006 at the JOHN QUINT TREBONI FUNERAL HOME, 1177 W. 5th Avenue, from 4:00-8:00 PM with a Vigil Service at 7:30 PM followed by a Rosary. Fr. Klee's body will also lie in state in the vestibule of Christ the King Church, 2777 East Livingston Avenue, Columbus, Ohio Monday, February 27, 2006 from 9:00 to 10:00 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial. FRIENDS ARE ASKED TO MEET AT CHURCH. Interment will follow at the St. Joseph Cemetery, 6440 South High Street, Lockbourne, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, friends who wish may contribute to the EWTN-Eternal Word Television Network, 5817 Old Leeds Rd, Irondale, AL 35210-9948. Condolences may be sent via www.johnquint.com