Grandpa dies after ram attack; still helps family

SALEM, Ohio – Even in the hardest times, like during the death of his father, Bill Kline says good things can happen.
Bill’s father, Robert Kline, spent almost two months in intensive care before dying from injuries caused by a ram. The animal attacked 78-year-old Kline and his wife, Virginia, at their Knox County home in October.
Virginia saw the ram head-butting her husband in a back pasture and when she rushed outside to help, the animal went for her instead.
Both were unconscious when help arrived.
Although Virginia spent several days at the Ohio State University Medical Center, her injuries were not life threatening. Robert, however, suffered severe head trauma, collapsed lungs and broken ribs and spent the next seven weeks in intensive care.
He died Dec. 11 from kidney failure, said his son Bill.
Calling hours were packed for this man who started his life farming, turned to the Methodist ministry and retired 25 years ago back to farming. At the end of the funeral service, 22 area ministers sang a final hymn to Robert Kline, and the American Legion’s honor guard saluted their fellow World War II Navy veteran.
But during the activities, flowers were scarce. As the family had requested, friends and fellow mourners instead donated money to a trust fund for Kline’s 8-year-old granddaughter, Kaitlyn Kline.
Kaitlyn has cystic fibrosis and her grandparents had decided long before Robert’s death, that helping their granddaughter was the best way to say goodbye.
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Donations to the trust fund for Kaitlyn Kline can be sent to ZBC Trust, 121 E. High St., Mount Vernon, OH 43050.