Robert Jacob Klass, "Bob" age 93, passed away peacefully January 20, 2026, at Villa Marin Retirement Community, San Rafael, California in the presence of family after a brave battle with cancer.
Levayah Service will be held on Tuesday, January 27 at 10:30 AM in the Chapel at Home of Peace Cemetery, 1299 El Camino Real, Colma, CA, followed by internment. Family and friends are invited to a reception afterward.
Robert is preceded in death by mother Ella Klass, father Saul Klass, and brother Donald Klass.
Bob is survived by his wife, Lenore Marie (Osborn), children: Kevin, Sharon, and Toni; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Born in Brooklyn, NY on October 30, 1932, he moved with his family at age 4 to Oakland, CA and graduated from Oakland High School class of 1950. He often rode the Key System streetcar after school, crossing the bay bridge to his father's store, Drake's Jewelers, in San Francisco, and wanted to be just like his father.
Drafted into the Army during the Korean conflict, he received basic training at Fort Ord in Monterey, CA and was shipped off to Trieste, Italy where he served in hospital administration, concluding his service at the Presidio in San Francisco.
Bob and Lenore were married on September 1, 1955, and soon after started a family in San Bruno, CA.
Bob worked for many years as a Store Manager for Kay and Zales Jewelers, then fulfilled a life goal of opening Klass Jewelers in Palo Alto, CA which he successfully operated with Lenore for 15 years.
Bob and Lenore retired early and moved to Koloa, Hawaii, where he enjoyed volunteering at professional and celebrity golf tournaments and made many friends on the island of Kauai.
He intensely enjoyed his cars including his very first as a teen, a 1941 Ford Coupe and his very last, a show winning 1941 Ford Deluxe Convertible immaculately restored by Jack Hogan.
The family extends our loving gratitude for the many healthcare professionals that cared for Bob and extended his lease on life. In lieu of flowers please donate in Bob's memory to the American Cancer Society.