For many Daytonians who grew up during the 1920s through the 1970s, Dayton Foundation donor Robert “Bob” Kline provided the background music for some of their most memorable life moments. Whether they attended an Easter or Christmas service at Carillon Historical Park while he was chief carillonneur or were one of the estimated 400,000 area students who marched to his rendition of “Pomp and Circumstance” at their high school graduations, Bob Kline made an impact on many individuals through his music.
Beyond his professional career, music also profoundly impacted his own life. According to a 1988 Dayton Daily News article announcing his death from Alzheimer’s disease, it’s how he met his wife, Gwen. She attended a concert at the NCR schoolhouse in 1923, at the beginning of his 42-year tenure as the music educator for National Cash Register.
Robert Kline played the organ at National Cash Register, where he served as music educator for 42 years.
“I don’t know whether it was me or my music that she fell in love with,” Bob was quoted as saying in the article.
Throughout their 54-year marriage, the Klines orchestrated hundreds of weddings, with Gwen as the coordinator and Bob playing musical accompaniment.
“We were quite a team,” he said of his relationship with Gwen, who passed away in 1983 at age 80.
The Klines’ legacy of fostering community also was evident through Bob’s longtime service on the Dayton school board and as a Montgomery County commissioner, as well as through Gwen’s 21 years as chairwoman for the Montgomery County Republican Party. She won a highly contested battle to design the county’s flag in 1973 during her tenure as chair, and, in the years following, Bob proudly wore a small version of the flag on the left lapel of his suit jackets.
Arguably their most noteworthy impact, however, came to fruition after their lifetimes through the Robert E. and Gwen W. Kline Scholarship Fund of The Dayton Foundation. Since 1994, more than $386,000 has been awarded in scholarships for Montgomery County high school seniors in need.
One of these students – Kylie Sauer, a 2020 graduate of Dayton Regional STEM School – missed out on hearing “Pomp and Circumstance” at her own high school graduation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, thanks to the Klines’ scholarship fund, she didn’t miss out on an even more important opportunity – the chance to hear it at her college graduation.
In her role as museum educator, Kylie Sauer supports curriculum development and leads onsite and outreach programs. She also trains and works with ambassador animals, like the armadillo pictured above, for use in educational programming.
“For me, a traditional college experience was never promised. Initially, I had planned to complete my degree at Sinclair Community College for financial reasons,” said Kylie, a 2024 graduate of Ohio University. “This scholarship meant I was able to go away to college and pursue the degree I truly wanted. My years in Athens, Ohio, were spent growing personally and professionally with others who have similar interests and aspirations.”
“I am a completely different person than the college freshman who received this scholarship.... Thank you for investing in me and my education!”
–Kylie Sauer, scholarship recipient
During a conversation with Madi Brown, one of Kylie’s Athens connections, Kylie discovered a deeper tie. Because the Klines’ scholarship is renewable, she had been regularly communicating with Madi’s mother, Michelle Brown, who is the director of scholarship services for The Dayton Foundation, to submit her yearly progress reports and arrange disbursement of the annual scholarship. Kylie and Madi met while working at an outdoor recreation facility, which helped fuel Kylie’s desire to pursue a degree in outdoor recreation and education. After college, she returned to Dayton and currently works as a museum educator for the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery.
“This support has truly allowed me to become the young professional I am today. I am a completely different person than the college freshman who received this scholarship – a confident, strong collaborator and passionate educator,” Kylie said. “There are so many experiences from my years going to school and working in Athens that I will carry throughout my life. Because of the opportunities I was given through this scholarship, I have not only found my passions but myself. Thank you for investing in me and my education!”