Robert J. Klaus, 71, passed away, peacefully, in Galena, IL, on Saturday, October 24, 2015, from complications of Parkinson's disease. He retired in Galena after serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of Oral Health America, a national organization that linked government, industry, health care professionals, and volunteer associations for public health and education programs to promote oral health. Klaus worked with Major League Baseball, and Hall of Fame Baseball broadcaster, Joe Garagiola, to launch the National Spit Tobacco Education Program; his work on this issue led him to participate in the White House talks relating to a settlement with tobacco manufacturers.

Before joining Oral Health America, Klaus was Executive Director of the Illinois Humanities Council, a foundation that supports many of Illinois' most treasured cultural and educational institutions. He worked for the Iowa Humanities Board and also taught history at the University of Iowa and philanthropy at Northwestern University. Klaus received his PhD in History from the University of Iowa.

In retirement, Klaus settled in Galena, IL, where he worked with the conservation community by joining the Board of the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation. He forged a relationship between the Conservation Foundation and the Field Museum of Chicago to develop the Wapello Native American site in Hanover, IL.

Klaus is survived by his wife, Joan; his three (3) children, Christian (Christy), Liz Ategou (Masina), and Conor (Viola Lee); his grandchildren are Hannah, Amanda, and Elena Klaus, William and Mateo Ategou, and Phillip and Willia Klaus. Robert is also survived by his siblings, Virginia (Don) Riordan, Jack (Diane) Klaus, Mary (the late Jim Sheridan), Charles (Pat) Klaus; and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary (Rooney) Klaus.

Visitation will be from 4 P/M to 7 P/M, on Thursday, October 29, 2015, at the Miller & Steinke Funeral Home, in Galena, and after 10 A/M, on Friday, October 30, 2015, at Grace Episcopal Church, in Galena, where funeral services will be at 10:30 A/M, on Friday, with Rev. Gloria Hopewell officiating.

Donations can be made in his memory to the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation, www.jdcf.org, or address, 126 N. Main Street, P. O. Box 216, Elizabeth, IL 61028-0216, or to the Galena Center for the Arts, 219 Summit Street, Galena, IL 61036.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com