World War II veteran celebrates 100th birthday
Army veteran Robert E. Kline Sr. tells his family stories about when he walked for miles in the snow in his socks during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.
He also talks about being hit by a German bomb while on a boat in the Mediterranean Sea, quickly recovering, and going back to battle.
When Kline, a retired Army corporal, shares his stories of fighting in World War II, his family listens to every detail.
“My dad was in the Battle of the Bulge, the Battle of Kasserine
Pass, North Africa, Battle of Normandy,” Kline’s daughter, Sharon Rohrbach, 65, said proudly June 16, while spending the day celebrating her father’s 100th birthday in her parents’ home on Swamp Pike in Gilbertsville. “My dad told us about all of the invasions.”
Kline joked with his family about how he was expecting a huge party with more than 100 guests for his birthday.
But due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, his family scaled back the plans.
Instead, about a dozen family members celebrated Kline’s birthday with a pizza and cake
party. Friends and relatives stopped by throughout the day to wish Kline a happy birthday.
The family is hoping to have that large gathering with relatives from Colorado, New Mexico and Minneapolis at a later date.
Kline grew up in Royersford, graduating from Royersford High School in 1938. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941. He thought he would be in the Army for just one year, but ended up staying in the service until June 30, 1945. He earned a
Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.
On July 10, 1943, Kline was hit by a bomb while he was on a landing craft in the Mediterranean.
He recovered quickly in a hospital in North Africa, and returned to his platoon.
On June 30, 1945, Kline flew back home. The plane landed in a New England airport. He rode on a train to Philadelphia and then to Royersford.
He met the love of his life, Margaret, 91, at a hotel gathering in Royersford. The couple married, and they raised four children, Sharon, Patty, 64, Brenda, 62, and Robert Jr., 58.
Kline worked at a factory in Pottstown, always making time for his family.
His great-grandson, Tyler Durling, 24, of Boyertown, said he is so happy that he got to know his greatgrandfather well.
“I am so proud of him,” Durling said. “I am lucky to spend time with him. I mow his grass. It humbles you when you hear all that he went through. He was all over the world and he is still kicking. I learn so much from him.”
Family friend, Paul A. Dengler, a retired Vietnam veteran, dropped by to give his friend an American flag on his birthday.
“He is really a nice man,” Dengler said. “He’s so happy.”
Kline doesn’t complain, not even about the shrapnel in his shoulder from the war.
“It doesn’t bother him,” his daughter said. “He got hit while on the Mediterranean, and he went right back to war. He is proud.”