Robert/Bob Climan left this world peacefully on Friday, June 5, 2026. He was born to Barney Climan and Hilda Inez Climan on January 1, 1942 in Long Beach, NY.

Bob (because he was really only Robert when his wife was annoyed with him) grew up in New York. He served in the United States Army until his Honorable Discharge in 1977. Bob worked for the State of Connecticut for 35 years, retiring from the University of Connecticut in 1997.

While stationed in Hawaii, Bob happened into a club and saw a beautiful young Hawaiian woman who was chaperoning a friend’s date. He asked if he could sit next to her; she said dismissively, “It’s a free world.” He asked if he could buy her a drink; she threatened to call the police. He knew at that moment that he’d met the love of his life, Annie.

Their love story continued through Hawaii, New York, and Connecticut. They were married and started a family that eventually expanded to three daughters, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Bob loved fishing, especially deep-sea fishing with a cooler of turkey sandwiches and A&W cream soda. He was impossibly addicted to black coffee (especially Kona) and Dunkin Donuts coffee rolls. He adored Chinese food, and pastrami sandwiches from Katz’s Delicatessen in New York. He and his wife created beautiful quilts together as well as machine-embroidered pictures that he loved to gift to friends. He loved music and on any given day, one could expect to hear a mash-up of Leon Redbone, Melveen Leed, Hui Ohana, and the soundtrack to Fiddler on the Roof filling his house. He adored storytelling and would often touch someone’s hand, then lean back and say expansively, “I got a story for ya.” He had a quick wit, a penchant for Dad jokes (“Why do fish live in salt water?” “Because pepper water makes them sneeze!”), and a warm, crooked smile that lit up his whole face. He adored his family and would spend hours listing their accomplishments to anyone who cared to listen. He was proud to be Jewish, with deep faith that sustained him throughout the hard times, and was a member of Temple Knesseth Israel synagogue in Ellington, Connecticut.

Bob was predeceased by his wife, Annie Laimomi Naunoina I’I Climan. He is survived by his sister, Marsha Climan of South Carolina; three daughters: Miriam Krieger Slen (Norman Slen) of Tolland, CT; Lillian Climan (Krystal Climan) of Tolland, CT; and Dara Bowling (Jeff Bowling) of Willimantic, CT. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Matthew Krieger; Rheba Schleicher; Zachary Slen; Kayne Bowling; Hillary Bowling; Rebecca Shopey; Sarah Bowling; and Morgan Climan; four great-grandchildren: Levi Slen; Lucas Gadwaw; Maddox Schleicher; and William Shopey, jr.; and nephews and a niece: Dr. Michael Zapor; Scott Zapor; and Mari’ Schectman.

As Bob’s health declined in later years, he was taken care of by many wonderful individuals. His family would especially like to thank the staff and residents of Parkway Pavilion in Enfield, where Bob spent his last days, and the staff of Beacon Hospice, who made sure that he was comfortable until the very end. These people became a second family to him and went above and beyond to fill his days with love, company, activities, and people who genuinely cared about him.

Bob’s funeral service will be held on Monday, June 8th; he will be buried beside his wife and next to his mother at Ellington Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association in his name. To leave an online condolence please visit https://www.blumensteinfuneralhome.com/