Robert Klosterman was the first commanding officer of the aircraft carrier John C. Stennis.

By Amy Jeter
Patrick Wilson
The Virginian-Pilot
© May 3, 2010

In this undated photo, Capt. Robert Klosterman, then commanding officer of the aircraft carrier John C. Stennis, and his wife, Rebecca, pose at Nauticus in downtown Norfolk. (Virginian-Pilot file photo)

NORFOLK

Police have identified the couple involved in what they said is a murder-suicide that took place in the 300 block of Peace Haven Drive on Sunday.

Robert C. Klosterman, 64, is the suspect, and his wife, Rebecca, 57, was the victim, said police spokesman Chris Amos. A divorce was pending, according to court records.

An investigation determined that Robert Klosterman shot his wife in the chest and then shot himself in the chest, according to Norfolk police and the medical examiner's office.

Klosterman was the first commanding officer of the aircraft carrier John C. Stennis, now homeported in Bremerton, Wash. He served in that post between 1995 and 1997, according to published reports. He also was executive officer of the aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower from June 1989 to April 1991, and commanding officer of the amphibious transport dock La Salle beginning February 1992.

Police received a call around 10 a.m. Sunday from an individual who sounded "despondent," Amos said. He asked police to respond to his residence.

When police arrived, they made several attempts to contact the home’s occupants without success. When they entered the home, they discovered the bodies.

Robert Klosterman was born in Cincinnati and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1969. He flew attack helicopters in Vietnam.

Reach Patrick Wilson at (757) 222-3893 or patrick.wilson@pilotonline.com

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