Robert Klinger, chemist, historian

Robert A. Klinger, 70, of Broomall, a chemist and amateur historian, died Monday, Jan. 18, of respiratory failure at Bryn Mawr Terrace.

Born to Blanche and Robert Klinger in Norristown, he graduated from Springfield High School in Delaware County in 1963, and later enrolled in Delaware Valley College in Doylestown.

He served in the Navy aboard the Du Pont, a destroyer, during the Vietnam War. After his military service, he enrolled at Widener University. He graduated with honors in chemistry and biology.

Mr. Klinger spent two years as a chemist at the DuPont Co. and the balance of his career at National Medical Services, a laboratory in Horsham, retiring in 2007.

While at DuPont, he developed an early prototype for a nonstick coating, and while in Horsham, he developed a technique for testing hair for the presence of THC, the key chemical component in marijuana.

"He did have to testify once or twice in court," said his wife, Elizabeth Keith Klinger.

Mr. Klinger combined his knowledge of chemistry with a passion for history. While working for National Medical Services, he helped evaluate the remains of the sailors from the H.L. Hunley, a Confederate submarine sunk by its own deployed torpedo in 1864, during the Civil War. It was raised to the surface in 2000 and is now on display in a South Carolina museum.

He also gave a lecture with slides at the Civil War Museum in Philadelphia about his work on the Hunley. He was an active volunteer for the 1696 Thomas Massey House on Lawrence Road in Broomall, serving as blacksmith-in-residence and on the board of directors.

"He enjoyed that because, again, it was combining chemistry and history," his wife said.

A member of the Marple Presbyterian Church, Mr. Klinger served as an elder and usher. He was a member of the Delaware County Field and Stream Association. He loved dogs, especially cavalier King Charles spaniels.

Besides his wife, he is survived by stepchildren Giulia and Liza deProphetis; a sister; a niece and nephew; and his first wife, Joyce Klinger, from whom he was divorced.

A visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, and 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 22, in the Marple Presbyterian Church, 105 N. Sproul Rd., Broomall, is to be followed by a 10:30 funeral service at the church. Burial is private.

Donations may be sent to the 1696 Massey House, Box 18, Broomall, Pa. 19008.

bcook@phillynews.com

610-313-8102