In Memoriam: Robert Onan Klepfer, Jr.

Robert Onan Klepfer, Jr.

December 23, 1942 – October 24, 2025

On Friday evening, October 24, 2025, Jesus welcomed a very special man into Heaven. Robert (“Bob”) Onan Klepfer, Jr. died peacefully at Wake Forest Baptist Cancer Center surrounded by his family. He was special indeed.  He was kind, generous, dedicated, faithful, funny.  He lived for others.  He gave himself away to his family and friends, to his community, to his church and Lord, Jesus.  He lived his faith.  Bob was truly a special man.

Bob was a true Tar Heel, born and bred, and a special fan of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Born in Lenoir, North Carolina, Bob grew up in Mooresville, North Carolina. where his father was the band director for Junior and Senior High Schools. Bob graduated from Mooresville Senior High School with honors in 1961 and went on to UNC-CH where he also graduated with honors. At UNC-CH he continued with band, playing drums when marching and oboe in concert. Bob spent two years and two summers preparing to enter law school under the early admission program. Bob and Joretta married on June 2, 1963; then Joretta went to work and Bob started law school. Bob passed the bar examination in 1966 and proudly arrived in Greensboro ready to start his legal career at the law firm of Stern, Rendleman and Isaacson.

Bob was truly a special man.  As a young lawyer Bob soon found ways he could help others, sometimes using his training as a lawyer and other times offering his leadership skills, while always generous with his time and with loving concern for the people he served.  Bob’s life’s work serving others included service to Drug Action Council of Greensboro, Greensboro Urban Ministry, Crisis Control Center, Greensboro Native American Association, Bennett College, North Carolina Center for Non-Profits, Action Greensboro (Director June 26 – December, 2007), and Board Chairman and board member of Greensboro Symphony Orchestra for many years.  He also served in leadership positions for Mental Health Association of Greensboro and Guilford County, Mental Health Association of North Carolina, and the National Mental Health Association.

As Executive Director of the Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation Bob was a special man for the non-profit community of Guilford County, serving with dedication those who needed assistance of any kind, making sure the Board of Directors had the information they needed to make decisions about the requests for grants.

Bob was a special man to the congregation of First Lutheran Church.  He taught Sunday School for more than 25 years, served on the Social Ministry and Stewardship Committees and served the Church Council in leadership positions including two separate terms as President. Bob was the “go-to” man of choice for Master of Ceremonies at special events. His sly humor could easily lift the room to raucous laughter and yet his faithful side would always be present to honor and praise God.

Bob was a special man to his family.  He was named after his father and proudly bore his name: Robert O. Klepfer.  His mother was Hilda Ethel Montgomery. Both parents are now deceased, as are a sister, Barbara Klepfer Brown, and a nephew, Morris Haywood .

Family members who survive are his wife of 62 years, Joretta Kennerly Klepfer; son, Robert O. Klepfer, III; brother, Walter F. Klepfer (Sherry ); nieces and nephew: Kassandra, Cheryl, Lisa, David, and Lauren as well as multiple aunts, uncles and cousins