Richard Nicholas 'Dick' Klein, 63

Richard Nicholas “Dick” Klein, 63, passed away May 16, 2015, at Kalispell Regional Healthcare.

Dick was born in Denver to Jack and Ruth Klein on Dec. 10, 1951. The family moved from Denver to Swan Lake, Montana, when he was 4.  

Dick became an entrepreneur at a young age, starting his own business selling worms to fishermen in the area as well as having his own paper route. When Dick was 12 the family moved to Kalispell where he attended school at St. Matthew’s and then on to Flathead High School. The family moved to Whittier, California, in the late ’60s when Dick was in his late teens. He attended Whittier High School and worked at a local gas station and later for the Uniroyal Tire Company.  

In the mid to late ’70s Dick moved to Sidney, Montana, and worked as a mechanic for a large trucking company and then it was on to the oil rigs during the first oil boom in Richland and McKenzie counties. Prior to leaving Sidney in the early ’80s he also did brick work and installed swimming pools.

Dick moved back to the Kalispell area for a short time in the early 1980s.  It was then he started working out and lifting weights. In 1983 he competed in Missoula and won the title of “Mr. Montana.”

Shortly thereafter, he moved to Wyoming and worked for an oil leasing company and then it was on to Denver where he started a successful construction trash removal business by the name of Dependable Hauling.  His son would spend summers with him in Denver often working in the family business. Dick was able to do many things and over the course of the years he learned many skills which served him well throughout his life. He was a hard worker, provided for his family and was known for his love of the outdoors and love of animals.

Dick was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Scheidt Klein; and brothers, David Klein and Dan Klein.

Dick is survived by his father, Jack Klein of Kalispell; son, Matthew Klein and wife Tami of Seattle; stepson, Kevin Knapp and wife Carol, also of Seattle; and stepdaughters, Christine Johnson and Brenda Lamb of Sheridan, Wyoming.

He is also survived by his three sisters, Mary Hildesheim and husband Joe of Seattle, Linda Green and husband Dave, and Jackie Klein and husband Rob Mattheisen of Kalispell; and three brothers, Andy Klein and wife Diane of Kalispell, Terry Klein of Vancouver, Washington, and  Mark Klein and wife Charlotte of Billings. He leaves behind numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. He also leaves behind his beloved dog and best friend, Nickki.  

A celebration of Dick’s life with Pastor Scott Keller of Aletheia Christian Fellowship will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday, June 22, at the pavilion (near the Visitor Center) at Lone Pine State Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to your local animal shelter, the Wounded Warrior Project, a substance abuse recovery program or to consider sponsoring a child through Compassion International. Dick generously supported all these charities.  

We love you, Dick, and know that you are now at peace.  

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Dick’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Dick’s tribute wall.