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Robert Darius Klipsch, 94, a long time resident of Albuquerque, passed away Sunday, October 5, 2008. He is survived by his daughters, Phyllis Klipsch Smith and husband, Harrison of Albuquerque, Katharine Klipsch Abbott and husband, Ralph of Provo, UT, and Marjri Klipsch McCracken and husband, Patrick of Idaho Falls, ID. He is also survived by grandchildren, Sylvia Smith Chavez, Marie Smith Everett, Harrison "Chip" Smith, Jr., Deborah Abbott Benson, Anne Abbott Moore, Ralph Abbott, Jr., Robert Abbott, Karen Abbott Parker, Dugan McCracken, Mack McCracken, and Akyla McCracken. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Leona Hinkel Klipsch; and granddaughter, Caitlinn McCracken. He is also survived by 35 great-grandchildren. Bob was born in Oroville, CA, January 16, 1914, to John and Gladys Klipsch. As a very young boy, he moved with the family back to their farming homestead in Indiana. It was in New Castle, IN, that he met and married Leona in 1937. After living in New Castle for a number of years, the family moved to Cincinnati, OH, and then to Huntington, WV. It was in 1953 that the family came to Albuquerque where Leona's parents had retired. A number of years later he became Controller of the Farmington Daily Times and was transferred in 1961 to Gallup as Publisher of the Gallup Independent. This started his career in the newspaper business and in 1965 he had the opportunity to buy the Defensor-Chieftain in Socorro. He published the paper and Leona, an accomplished writer, was the Editor. They made a great team, and won numerous awards while they owned and managed the paper. Bob had the honor of serving as President of the New Mexico Press Association in 1973. And he and Leona were always involved in community activities everywhere they lived. He was also a thirty-second degree Mason. Soon after they sold the Defensor-Chieftain in 1983, Bob decided he was not ready to retire. Coming back to the fact that he was still a farm boy at heart, he bought a nursery and greenhouse in Socorro and appropriately named it "Bob's Nursery". A few years after Leona died, he sold the nursery and moved back to Albuquerque in 1996 to be closer to daughter, Phyllis. The family wishes to express thanks for the wonderful care that he has had for many years living at Montebello in Independent Living and this last year in Assisted Living. Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Animal Humane Association of New Mexico, 615 Virginia SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, or the charity of their choice. Services will be held on Friday, October 10, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., at French Mortuary, 1111 University Blvd., NE. Friends and family may visit French Mortuary, University Blvd. Chapel, Thursday, October 9, 2008 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Interment will be held, Saturday, October 11, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Socorro Cemetery, Socorro, NM. French Mortuary 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333 www.frenchmortuary.com
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