Roger A. Kline's Obituary
Roger A. (RAK) Kline, 75, of Tucson, AZ passed away December 24, 2016. He was born April 6, 1941 in Cornwall -on-the -Hudson when his father was at West Point Military Academy. After graduating from High School in Lowell, MA, he attended the University of Vermont graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1964 with degrees in botany and fine arts. He was also an ROTC Colonel. During the summer after his junior year, he became one of the earliest marathon bicyclists riding from Montreal, Canada to New Orleans, LA. Roger became a guest on the popular television show, To Tell the Truth, in 1963 as a result of his cross-country adventure. He was proud that he made the entire journey on $25. In news coverage of his trip, Roger is quoted as saying, “People are just waiting to be met, to show how generous and friendly they can be. They are looking for something out of the ordinary in their lives.” He is a veteran of the Vietnam war flying fixed-wing reconnaissance for the United States Army and was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. He was awarded a Master of Science from Cornell University in cytogenetics and evolution and enjoyed a long career at Cornell working in agricultural extension. After retiring from Cornell, he moved west and became an interpretive ranger with the National Parks Service and also dedicated himself to his duties as docent at the Arizona Desert Museum. Roger is survived by his devoted and beloved wife, Betsy E. Painter of Tucson, AZ, first cousins, Saralie Slonsky of NY and Marilyn Brazinsky of CT, as well as nieces, nephews and a lifetime of family and friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Grand Canyon Trust or The Sky Island Alliance.
“People are just waiting to be met, to show how generous and friendly they can be. They are looking for something out of the ordinary in their lives.” RAK
East of the Sun and West of the Moon
In the deep of night I lighted my candle and saw you sleeping,
beautiful as a hero, as a young god, as my beloved,
frank in your maleness, acquiescent to your beauty,
lying there lightly in pale light as a child lies.
I bent over you marvelling,
I bent over you in exaltation and in sorrow
Knowing this for the moment out of fairy-tale
When then maiden first sees her love in his true shape, sleeping
And spills the tallow of her candle on his shoulder
So that he wakes and vanishes, and she must seek him
through the inevitable seven years of legend.
She must wander, questions, through the wide world,
Must cross the burning ploughshares, the fierce glass mountain,
And wake him from his sleep, and make him know her
Forever as his true love.
In the deep of the night I leaned over you, holding my candle
in terror and awe of this quest, this quest that must lead me
east of the sun and west of the moon until I find you
beautiful as a hero, as a young god, as my beloved
standing before me forever in your true shape.
Peggy Pond Church
What’s your fondest memory of Roger?
What’s a lesson you learned from Roger?
Share a story where Roger's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Roger you’ll never forget.
How did Roger make you smile?