Robert L. Klein

It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we share the passing of our colleague and friend, Paramedic Bob Klein, who passed away Monday, Feb. 9th, 2026. He was surrounded by his loving family and friends at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo.

Robert (Bob or Farmer) Klein was born in Langdon, N.D., and grew up on his family’s farm in northeastern North Dakota. He attended school in Langdon and, after graduating from high school, remained on the farm to help with the family farming operation.

Bob’s desire to help others began at a young age. Inspired by the television show Emergency! and its characters, paramedics Johnny and Roy, he knew he wanted to be the person who responded in moments of crisis. In 1987, he began pursuing that calling. Bob completed his emergency medical technician course at the hospital in Langdon and started volunteering with the Langdon Ambulance Service, marking the beginning of a nearly four decade career in EMS.

In 1994, Bob took the next step in his professional journey by enrolling in the Paramedic Program at F M Ambulance in Fargo. After completing the program in 1995, he began working part-time as a street medic for F M Ambulance while continuing both his work on the family farm and his service with the Langdon Ambulance Service as a paramedic.

Bob’s leadership and dedication continued to grow. In 2004, he became the director of Langdon Ambulance, all while still working part-time for F M Ambulance and running the family farm. Two years later in 2006, he made the difficult decision to leave the farm and his longtime role with Langdon Ambulance to accept a fulltime position with F M Ambulance in Fargo as the liaison coordinator. In this position, Bob spent eight years providing education and training to ambulance services, quick response units, fire departments, and law enforcement agencies across Cass and Clay Counties.

In 2012, Bob shifted his focus fully to EMS education, becoming a lead educator for F M Ambulance. He played an essential role in training students enrolled in the North Dakota State College of Science Paramedic Program, affiliated with F M Ambulance. Bob also instructed a wide range of emergency medicine courses, including BLS, ACLS, PALS, and PHTLS.

Bob’s excellence and impact on the EMS community were widely recognized. In 2008, he received the F M Ambulance Achievement in Excellence Award for his service and dedication to EMTs and first responders throughout the region. That same year, he was honored as the North Dakota EMS Instructor of the Year. In 2014 Bob was awarded the American Ambulance Association Star of Life award in Washington, D.C. for his lifetime achievements in EMS.

In addition to his formal duties, Bob was a committed member of the F M Ambulance Service Disaster Services Committee. His contributions helped strengthen emergency preparedness across the region.

Outside of work, Bob’s passion for mechanics and restoration was well known. When not teaching, he could often be found in his garage working on motorcycles, vintage snowmobiles, and classic cars—hobbies that brought him great joy. Bob is survived by his wife, Margaret Nowatzki Klein. He is also survived by his brothers: Charlie, Dale, and James Klein; brothers-in-law Ted (Kathy) Nowatzki and Mike (Donna) Nowatzki; and sisters-in-law: Judie (Bob) Beadle, Kathy (Warren) Swenson, Becky (Mark) Ratzlaff, and Mary (John) Shea. He is further survived by his nieces and nephews: Sharon (John) Martin, Shelly (Todd) Preszler, Joe (J.J.) Beadle, Jerry (Carrie) Beadle, Shawn Nowatzki, Sheila (Michael) Cox, Maria Eisenzimmer, Jeff (Kim) Ratzlaff, Rory (Denise) Ratzlaff, Megan (Justin) Overby, McKinzie (Cody) Sivertson, and John T. and Elisabeth Shea; as well as many great- and great-great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Maxine (Domres) Klein; father and mother-in-law Ted and Betty (Lothspeich) Nowatzki and one infant sister-in-law, Sharon Nowatzki.

The couple made their home in Horace, N.D., where they built a life filled with family, dedication to service, and the simple pleasures Bob cherished.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Bob’s family and friends, the SHEMSE staff, and all members of the Sanford Ambulance team as we grieve this loss together. Please know you are not alone—our entire EMS family walks this difficult path with you.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been set up through Choice Bank 218 8th Ave., Langdon, ND 58249 to help with a scholarship for future students interested in becoming a paramedic. Memorials may also be made to the Langdon Prairie Health Foundation, 909 2nd St., Langdon, ND 58249 or St. John’s Cemetery, 324 12th Ave., Langdon, ND 58249.

Visitation: 5-7:00 P.M. Friday, February 13, 2026, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, West Fargo, N.D. with a Rosary starting at 6:30 P.M.

Prayer Service: 7:00 P.M. Friday, February 13, 2026, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, West Fargo.

Funeral Mass: 1:00 P.M. Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, West Fargo with visitation starting at 12:00 P.M.

Burial in the Spring: St. John’s Cemetery, Dresden, N.D. Boulger Funeral Home of Fargo is in charge of arrangements.