Richard “Dick” Klass
April 15th, 1942 - December 3rd, 2022
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Dick's Obituary
Richard “Dick” Klass, 80, of St. Joseph, MI passed away on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Spectrum Lakeland Health Center in St. Joseph, MI. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Funeral Home – 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI.
Dick was born on April 15, 1942 in Chicago, IL to the late Henry and Rosemary (Sheeler) Klass. He served his country for 6 years while in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, with two tours to Vietnam. On December 20, 1969 in Des Plaines, IL he married Carol Jeanne Artner. Moving to St. Joseph, MI in 1971, he was employed by LECO Corporation as a service manager. He retired after 25 years from Scientific Technology, a company based in California, as Regional Sales Manager. After retiring, he found enjoyment in volunteering with the Restoration Department at the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum in Portage, MI. He went on to become Project Manager for the restoration of the F-117 Nighthawk. In 2021, Dick was awarded Volunteer of the Year for having worked over 5,000 volunteer hours. Dick was an enthusiast of WWII history. He also was a member of the Whirlwinds Club, where he enjoyed flying remote control planes. Having a lifelong passion for golf, in 2019 he won first place in the Masters Club Pro League at Indian Lakes Golf Club. He loved his family and will be greatly missed.
Dick is survived by his wife – Carol; two children – Dawn Batcho of St. Joseph and Richard ‘Rick’ (Shelly) Klass of Portland, OR; five grandchildren – Grace Batcho, Emma Nelson, Andrew Nelson, Cameron Klass and Layton Klass; son-in-law – Mark Nelson of Valencia, PA; and his beloved canine companion – Remington. He is preceded in death by his parents and a daughter – Kristin Nelson.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will take place on Friday, December 9, 2:00pm, at the Starks & Menchinger Chapel in St. Joseph, with Mike Gathright officiating. Visitation with the family precedes the service from 1:00-2:00pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum in Portage, MI in the name of Richard Klass. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so on the Memory Wall.
Dick was born on April 15, 1942 in Chicago, IL to the late Henry and Rosemary (Sheeler) Klass. He served his country for 6 years while in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, with two tours to Vietnam. On December 20, 1969 in Des Plaines, IL he married Carol Jeanne Artner. Moving to St. Joseph, MI in 1971, he was employed by LECO Corporation as a service manager. He retired after 25 years from Scientific Technology, a company based in California, as Regional Sales Manager. After retiring, he found enjoyment in volunteering with the Restoration Department at the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum in Portage, MI. He went on to become Project Manager for the restoration of the F-117 Nighthawk. In 2021, Dick was awarded Volunteer of the Year for having worked over 5,000 volunteer hours. Dick was an enthusiast of WWII history. He also was a member of the Whirlwinds Club, where he enjoyed flying remote control planes. Having a lifelong passion for golf, in 2019 he won first place in the Masters Club Pro League at Indian Lakes Golf Club. He loved his family and will be greatly missed.
Dick is survived by his wife – Carol; two children – Dawn Batcho of St. Joseph and Richard ‘Rick’ (Shelly) Klass of Portland, OR; five grandchildren – Grace Batcho, Emma Nelson, Andrew Nelson, Cameron Klass and Layton Klass; son-in-law – Mark Nelson of Valencia, PA; and his beloved canine companion – Remington. He is preceded in death by his parents and a daughter – Kristin Nelson.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will take place on Friday, December 9, 2:00pm, at the Starks & Menchinger Chapel in St. Joseph, with Mike Gathright officiating. Visitation with the family precedes the service from 1:00-2:00pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum in Portage, MI in the name of Richard Klass. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so on the Memory Wall.
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