Hutchinson Island, FL–
From Local attorney dies helping his sons escape rip currents on Hutchinson Island (5/27/08):
“Well-known Fort Pierce real estate attorney Robert N. ‘Bobby’ Klein died Monday while trying to help his sons escape rough ocean waters.
“He and his family were spending Memorial Day morning at Bob Graham Beach when his two sons, ages 11 and 14, were caught in strong rip currents.
“Klein, 49, swam out to help them and got caught in the currents, said Martin County Fire Rescue Bureau Chief Jeff Alter. Rescue workers brought Klein to shore and tried to revive him. Klein was pronounced dead…
“Klein and his family were at the beach, which has no lifeguards, in the early morning. The boys struggled in the rip currents while riding their Boogie boards about 50 yards offshore, said an eyewitness, Walter Walsh of Port St. Lucie.
“Their father went to their rescue, Alter said.
“Walsh said he saw Klein struggling in the currents…
“As rescue workers tried to revive Klein, Walsh said, Klein’s wife was standing next to him, saying, ‘Bob, we need you. Bob, don’t go.'”
We will add Klein to our list of Hero Fathers, which includes:
1) Joseph Richardson–see my blog post Hero Father Dies Saving Daddy’s Little Girl
2) Albert Collins–see my blog post Heroic Father Gunned Down While Saving His Little Daughter
3) James Kim–see my blog post Father ‘put himself through a desperate ordeal in a superhuman effort to save his family’
Thanks to Steven, a reader, for sending the story.