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Share thisAlumni Spotlight: Robert J. Klein, Jr. and His Love of Astronomy that Started with Dr. Beeson
What started out as a temporary love interest, ended in a lasting relationship with Roberts Wesleyan College. Alumnus, Bob Klein, former special education teacher for Marshall High School, and retired guidance counselor of OFCS Industry Juvenile Detention Facility entered Roberts in 1959. Bob started Roberts Wesleyan College with the intent of following a fellow female peer, and the decision of picking Roberts for college changed his life forever. The people he met at Roberts left a mark on his career, individuality, and hobbies for the rest of his life.
Bob spent his undergraduate years enjoying the community and student life at Roberts Wesleyan College. When he wasn't in his studies, he worked as a line cook in Carpenter Hall, now The Arts, Sociology, and Psychology building. He ate in the Carpenter Hall cafeteria and lived in the Quonset huts purchased by the college to use as dormitories for the male students after the Korean War. As a sophomore in 1961, Bob was able to experience Governor Rockefeller speak to the Roberts students on campus. He always remembers Roberts for being genuine and welcoming, mentioning Dr. Elwood Voller, the president of the College, who addressed him by name. Bob spoke of the utmost highest regards of the faculty at Roberts Wesleyan College, and how he was cared for as an individual and student. Not only did Bob have a great student life experience, he also had wonderful academic relationships.
Bob had a long-standing relationship with the late Professor Beeson that started in Bob's early undergraduate years. He described Professor Beeson as, “A wonderful man, always said it is so good to see you and was very friendly.” While Professor Beeson was a psychology professor and influenced Bob's life as a counselor and special education teacher, he also led Bob into the world of astronomy. Professor
Beeson and Bob often had many conversations about other planets and what could be outside of our galaxy. Bob spends his spare time collecting items of interest in relation to astronomy always thinking about his conversations at Roberts Wesleyan College.
Since leaving Roberts Wesleyan College Bob’s interest in astronomy expanded and grew into a family affair. Bob and his family have gone to the Kennedy Space Center, and have sat on the Mars Space Rover. In 2003 Bob Klein submitted his son's name to be placed on Mars in a capsule and even has an authenticated rock from Mars.
There are many things in his collection such as a meteorite and green glass from the deserts of Libya. Along with this many astronomy collection pieces, he has a wealth of knowledge that ranges from teaching to stories of astronomical artifacts found on earth. He hopes to share his stories and artifacts to the students of Roberts Wesleyan College in the future.
Written by, Sara G. Gendrue ’21 (Media)
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