[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 126 (Monday, August 3, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF ROBERT ANTHONY KLIMEK, JR.

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                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, August 3, 2026

  Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of 
Robert ``Bob'' Anthony Klimek, Jr. who passed away January 30, 2026.
  Robert was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1933 to parents Robert 
Anthony Klimek, Sr. and Emma Ellen Klimek. During the Korean War, he 
enlisted in the Air Force with the aim of becoming a pilot. Following 
his successful completion of pilot training, he served as a test pilot, 
a flight instructor, and flew the F100 as a fighter pilot. By the end 
of his career, Bob has amassed 5,000 hours of flying time, rising to 
Command Pilot.
  Later in his Air Force Career, Bob specialized in electronic warfare. 
This became especially important during his service in the Vietnam War. 
During his service in Vietnam, he invented, and received a patent for, 
a device to detect and avoid Russian Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs). 
This groundbreaking invention saved countless lives and was so 
effective only one plane was lost to a SAM following its deployment 
through the end of the war.
  Following a distinguished 24-year career in the Air Force, Bob 
retired at the rank of Colonel. For his outstanding service, he 
received Military Merit Medal, Medal for Meritorious Service, Bronze 
Star and the Legion of Merit. He also earned undergraduate degree in 
Electrical Engineering from the University of Colorado, Master's degree 
in Engineering Management from George Washington University and a Juris 
Doctorate degree from Georgetown Law School.
  Bob became a lawyer with a focus on government and international 
contracts following his time in the Air Force. He lived an adventurous 
life, developing passions for scuba diving, sailing, flying 
recreationally, and travel.
  He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Lucia Casale; along with his 
children, Robert Anthony Klimek, III, and Constance Conway; his 
grandson, Niel Young; and great-grandchildren Peyton and Emma Young.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the life of Robert ``Bob'' 
Anthony Klimek, Jr.

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