Obituaries

Robert Klein, age 53, died Wednesday at home. Born in Scranton on October 3, 1964, son of the late Robert F. and Yvonne A. (Ensminger) Klein. Robert graduated from Vestal High School, Broome Community College, Binghamton University and Widener University School of Law. His career included VP of Operations for Cherry Tree Vending, Co., Inc., Deputy District Attorney and Assistant District Attorney for Lackawanna County and Susquehanna County District Attorney.
In his younger years, he was an altar server. While in high school, he earned his brown belt from Hidy Ochiai’s Karate and was a wide receiver on the Vestal High School football team. Robert enjoyed attending his children’s high school football games and cheerleading competitions, guiding them with high school and college mock trials, working with his children on remodeling the family home and spending time talking with them about their day. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association. Robert was also a lector for St. Martin of Tours, spent 12 years teaching students legal procedure through mock trials and volunteered for numerous causes. Robert was a man of faith and his greatest joy was his family.
In law school, Widener University selected Robert as the most promising litigator. The awards and recognition he received were many, but those that he considered very special included: The Florence-Midtown United Crime Watch “Night of Helping Hand”; Class Leader of the Year, presented by Leadership Lackawanna; Recognition for his Dedication to the Victims of Juvenile Crime; Recognition by the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Service for his Years of Hard Work and Dedicated Service to the Law Enforcement Field; and being elected the Susquehanna County District Attorney.
He is survived by his wife Kelly-Jo (Callahan), son Robert (“RJ”), daughter Olivia and son Nicholas, all of New Milford; brother John and wife Bonnie Lee of Susquehanna; nieces and nephews: John Joseph of Susquehanna; Kirsten, Ryan and Alex Klein, all of Endwell, NY; Hunter, Abby and Emma Lewis, all of Apalachin, NY; mother- and father-in-law, Patricia and John Callahan; brother-in-law, Kevin Callahan; and sisters-in-law, Kimberly Mulvey, Julie Callahan and Jessica Lewis, all of New York State.
Robert was preceded in death by his brother William Klein and his aunt Shirley Ensminger.
Donations to assist with medical and other expenses can be made to www.GoFundMe.com and select The Robert Klein Charitable Account.
Funeral services will begin Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. from the Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 125 N. Main Ave., Scranton, with a 9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated by Msgr. Thomas Muldowney at St. Peter’s Cathedral, 315 Wyoming Ave., in Scranton. Burial will follow at the Cathedral Cemetery. Relatives and friends may pay their respects Tuesday between 4 and 7 p.m. at the funeral home.