Kathy Klingel Hill, loved Rehoboth
Katherine “Kathy” Klingel Hill of Rehoboth Beach died Monday, Sept. 30, just a few months shy of her 80th birthday.
Kathy was born in 1945 at the Presidio in San Francisco, Calif., where her father, Dr. Robert L. Klingel, was stationed as a physician with the Army. Not long after her birth, Kathy’s father was transferred to Fort Miles in Lewes, and Kathy and her family made their home in Rehoboth Beach. Her father later became one of the area’s most beloved local doctors.
A graduate of Rehoboth High School, Class of 1962, where she was voted Best Dancer, Kathy continued her studies at Southern Seminary, graduating from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Soon after, Kathy began teaching elementary school in Millsboro. After her first marriage ended in the early 1980s, Kathy worked at the Delaware Legislature in Dover.
Desiring a career change, Kathy followed her love of fashion and found herself working in retail clothing, managing the Winding Beam and later working at Crysti, both shops in Rehoboth Beach, always helping women to find just the right outfit. Because of her incredible fashion sense, Kathy was sought after by many other shop owners during her years working in retail.
Always on the go, Kathy could be seen riding her bicycle around town, or on the beach that she so loved. Reading and crossword puzzles were favorite pastimes. She was known for her charming wit, and everyone who knew and loved Kathy knew she would never mince words when telling you her thoughts on any subject!
Kathy was a dog lover and volunteered locally at Humane Animal Partners in the Midway Shopping Center, Rehoboth, loving each rescue dog as if it were her own. We can all imagine the heavenly reunion Kathy is having with her beloved dogs, Joby, a black Labrador, and her beagle Marge. In the 1980s, Kathy was a volunteer nature guide at Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes, a job that gave her immense pleasure.
On Thanksgiving weekend 1991 at Sydney’s Side Street, Kathy met Bob Walton. They were married in October 2005 and spent nearly 30 years together in the home she loved on Henlopen Avenue.
Kathy was predeceased by her parents, Dr. Robert L. Klingel and Margaret Sheehan Klingel. Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband, Robert J. Walton IV; devoted brother, Robert Michael “Mike” Klingel; special friends Sue Warrington-Doud and Brenda Heckert; and many cousins, her dedicated caregivers, and a host of other people whom Kathy called friends.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 12, at Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Kathy’s name to Humane Animal Partners, Midway Plaza, 18675 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.
