The Meiklejohn Family: Thankful for the Marple Community

Resident Feature by Holly Stupak

Photos by Micduff Photography www.Micduff.com

Meet Broomall neighbors, Bob and Kim Meiklejohn and their four children. The Meiklejohns are long-time Marple residents, and when they faced a challenging time a few years ago, the community showed an outpouring of support and kindness, making them forever grateful to live in Marple.

Growing up, Bob lived in a couple different areas of Marple Newtown. Bob’s uncle still owns one of Bob’s childhood homes, on 3rd Avenue in Newtown Square. Bob graduated from Marple Newtown High School in 1976. Since 1981, he has worked for Accurate Metal in Lansdowne, where he’s been a truck driver, a salesman, and now a Supervisor and Manager. The owner of a 1965 Mustang, Bob loves classic cars and belongs to the Historical Car Club of Pennsylvania. Also an avid motorcyclist, Bob is a member of the Patriot Guard Riders and Warrior Watch, and he participates in motorcycle rides to escort Veterans to their final resting place.

Bob and Kim Meiklejohn

Photo by Micduff Photography www.Micduff.com

Kim grew up in Darby Borough and graduated from Pennwood High School in 1986. After attending Delaware County Community College, she earned a B.S. from Albright College in 2007, and an M.B.A. from Strayer University in 2016. She worked for 10 years as an Assistant Controller for a local bank, and last year, she started working as a Compensation Analyst at Main Line Health in Newtown Square. “Working at Main Line Health is definitely one of the best jobs I’ve ever had!” Kim said. “It’s a diverse group of people who always go above and beyond.” Kim also volunteers for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), which offers free tax help for low-income families and others who need assistance preparing their tax returns.

Kim and Bob met in 1995, at a party hosted by Bob’s company. The two hit it off, and after dating for a few years, Bob planned an exciting marriage proposal. He arranged for a plane to fly over a Dover Downs Nascar race, pulling a banner that said “Kim, will you marry me?” Unfortunately, the timing didn’t quite work out: Kim wasn’t in the stands when the banner flew over, so she missed seeing it! With a photo of the banner in hand, Bob proposed a week later. In June 2002, they got married at Rolling Green Golf Course in Springfield, and honeymooned in Jamaica.

After Kim and Bob got engaged, they found a great For Sale By Owner ranch home in the Marple Gardens section of Broomall, but they learned it was already under contract. Bob took a chance and left a note that said, “Call us if the other deal doesn’t work out.” Two weeks later they got the call: The deal had indeed fallen through! They jumped on it, and eventually added a second floor, to make more room for their children. Kim and Bob have two children Liz and Chris, as well as Bob’s two son’s from a previous marriage, Bobby and John. They also have two adorable twin granddaughters, Ophelia and Alexandria, age 3, and a cat named Puds.

Bobby graduated from Marple Newtown High School in 1999. He then pursued a B.A. in Film Production from Full Sail University in Florida. Now he lives in Los Angeles, and works in TV production for such networks as ESPN, Fox, A&E, and MSNBC. His favorite part of TV production? Getting to meet people and travel to places many people don’t get to see. Most recently, he was on the production team for a show called West Texas Investors Club, a docuseries that aired on CNBC.

John, a 2003 Archbishop Carroll High School grad, earned his B.S. in Criminal Justice from West Chester University in 2007. He runs his own entertainment business that hosts Pub Trivia nights. That’s a fun job and, more importantly, his schedule allows John to stay home with his twin daughters. John and his wife Ani live in Downingtown, where she works as the General Manager at the Victory Brew Pub.

Chris and Liz Meiklejohn

Photo by Micduff Photography www.Micduff.com

Liz graduated from Marple Newtown High School in 2019. She’s attending Delaware County Community College (DCCC), and works as a Chiropractic Assistant at a local office. As a young girl, Liz was very active and spent her summers lifeguarding at Rose Tree Woods Swim Club and working as a counselor at local camps. She also played softball from age 6 through high school for the Newtown Square Petticoat League, and was a member of MNHS swim, diving and volleyball teams.

When Liz was 14 and just a freshman in high school, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. After months of tests, Liz endured aggressive chemotherapy treatments once a week for seven months. During that time, she missed school and was unable to play the sports she so enjoyed, especially softball with her NSPL teammates. That year, her team won the championship, and Liz was very honored that her team dedicated the season to her. That fall, she returned to school and resumed swimming and playing volleyball. She was also inducted into the National Honor Society (NHS).

After DCCC, Liz wants to transfer to a four-year program for radiology, to become a technician or possibly a doctor. “After being a patient myself,” said Liz, “I saw what an important role radiologists played in my health and treatment. Their example gotme interested in this field.”

Bob and Kim’s youngest, Chris, is a senior at MNHS. He also spent many years lifeguarding and working at youth sports camps. Chris loves sports and plays football, lacrosse and wrestling for his school. This past year, he earned the “Most Dedicated Player”’award from his football coaches. “I spent a lot of time after practice, doing extra workouts in the weight room,” said Chris. “My coaches noticed how hard I was working and honored me at this past year’s banquet.” Chris was also inducted into NHS for Social Studies, and he was chosen to serve on a Leadership Council that helped keep the younger team players motivated during the pandemic. He is still deciding what his post-high-school plans are, and hopes to continue playing football.

The Meiklejohn Family at The Willows Preserve in Radnor

Photo by Micduff Photography www.Micduff.com

Being involved in the Marple community has always been im-portant to Kim and Bob. When her kids attended Worrall Elementary, Kim joined the PTO, as a way to meet people. She has continued serving on her kids’ schools’ PTOs, and now serves as Vice President of MNHS PTO.

The Meiklejohns loved spending summers at Rose Tree Woods Swim Club, watching their kids compete on the swim team and lifeguard there. Wanting to help improve the club for its members, Kim served on that Board, and Bob was on the Grounds Committee.

In 2017, the Meiklejohns were granted the trip of a lifetime to Hawaii, through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “We got to experience so many things we normally couldn’t, like scuba diving with sharks, visiting Pearl Harbor, and hiking Diamond Head,” Liz recalled. “It was a well-deserved trip for Liz!” Kim added. “We are still very grateful to the Make-A-Wish Foundation for that vacation!”

The Meiklejohns are thankful for Liz’s outcome: She’s been cancer-free for four years. Although she will continue to have scans throughout her life, all the Meiklejohns are maintaining a positive attitude. Their family motto is “Every day is a second chance.” And, to the Marple community who generously organized fundraisers, delivered meals, and provided shoulders to lean on during that difficult time, they send a heartfelt Thank You!

Do you know a family that readers of our magazine might like to meet in an upcoming issue? Nominate them by email to Holly Stupak at HStupak@BestVersionMedia.com.