Arthur Rudolph Kleppe, Jr., 94, died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, October 22, 2026. His passing occurred shortly after his arrival at a rehabilitation facility in Apopka, following five incredible healing days as an inpatient at Advent Healthcare in Apopka.
Mr. Kleppe was the beloved husband of Elsie Christensen Kleppe for 70 beautiful years. Their enduring love story began on a blind date at “the Jersey shore” while both were attending college. Despite initial reservations from Elsie’s parents, they persevered and were married on January 21, 1956. At the time of their marriage, Mr. Kleppe was undergoing basic training at Fort Stewart in Hinesville, Georgia.
He embraced his roles as a husband, father, and mentor, and was the proud father of six children. Their first child, Karen Jean, was born in 1956 in Fort Stewart, Georgia. Arthur Rudolph Kleppe III and Kenneth George Kleppe followed in 1958 and 1959, respectively. Kevin William Kleppe and Katherine Anne Kleppe were born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1961 and 1965. Their youngest child, Keith Robert Kleppe, was born in Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, New Jersey, in 1969.
Mr. Kleppe truly appreciated his sons-in-law, the late August Lembo and James Lawton, and his daughters-in-law, Barbara Korolevich Kleppe, Deborah Kocoloski Kleppe, Lori Henicle Kleppe, the late Leslie Kinces Kleppe, and Rachel Williams.
His family circle extended to numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. These include Marguerite “Meg” Lembo, her husband John Cape, and their children Liliana, Oliver, and Ayla; Kaylyn Kleppe Ackerman and her husband Evan; Daniel Amedeo Lembo; David Arthur Kleppe and his wife Brittany Schillizzi Kleppe, and their children Avery, Jolene, Noylyn, and Wesley; Scott Kenneth Kleppe and his wife Danielle Herington Kleppe, and their children Charlotte, Levi, and Theodore; Kristin Kleppe Fuller and her husband Matthew Fuller, and their children Raelyn and Mackenzie; Elisabeth Theresa Lembo and her significant other Trevor Newton; Kyle Joseph Kleppe; Luke Robert Kleppe and his wife Nicole Janiga Kleppe, and their son Lawson; Kevin and Abby Saunders Kleppe; Ellen Lawton Puzycki and her husband Kurt Puzycki, and their soon-to-be-born son; Hope Margaret Kleppe; Grace Elsie Lawton and her fiancé Erik Baier; Owen Keith Kleppe and his fiancée Emma Warnsman; Payton James Kleppe; Julia Lee Kleppe; Kelly Lynn Kleppe; and Julie Nancy Lawton.
Born on December 18, 1931, in Montclair, New Jersey, Mr. Kleppe was welcomed into a loving family by his mother, Marguerite Hayes Kleppe, and his father, Arthur Rudolph Kleppe, Sr. He had one younger brother, Andrew William Kleppe, who predeceased him and whom he missed terribly. Both brothers were born and raised in Montclair, New Jersey, living on Saint Lukes Place. They were raised as virtual twins, attending public kindergarten, and then Immaculate Conception grammar and high school until Mr. Kleppe’s junior year when he transferred to Montclair High School. Both brothers later attended The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina.
Mr. Kleppe had a variety of passions, including his church, St. Francis. He enjoyed stock trading, "EBAY fun," and finding treasures at garage sales. He also cultivated gardening skills, which he learned from Lyle and her sister. He loved meeting and listening to people, and was a treasure to his family and the world.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Andrew William Kleppe. His son, Arthur Rudolph Kleppe III, passed away in September 2017. His first daughter-in-law, Leslie Kinces Kleppe, died in 2016, and his son-in-law, August Lembo, passed in February 2026. The family extended heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Kishore Ranadive, Dr. Jason Salugubang, and the many nurses, doctors, and technicians who cared for Mr. Kleppe at Advent Health Care Apopka during his final week, specifically mentioning Ukamaka, Silzie, Remz, Maritza, A.J., Celene, Adriana, Nia, Rebecca, and Regina. They also shared their love for his neighbors and close friends on Granaway Court, including Ana Munoz and her children, and Bruce and Tanya Cameron, who were always there for Art and Elsie.
The family encourages others to honor Mr. Kleppe’s memory by extending kindness to others, stating, "Do something kind for your fellow woman/man" today.
