Richard David Kline was born in New York City on February 21, 1944. His family relocated to Las Vegas, NV when he was very young. Sports and scouting were central interests throughout his childhood and carried through high school at Bishop Gorman, where he led the varsity football and baseball teams and achieved Eagle Scout designation.
As a cadet, Richard played football all four years and participated in the French Club and Rocket Society. Mack Harnden, who played football with Richard on the “B-Squad,” referred to Richard as an “excellent athlete who was playing quarterback against the Academy’s starting defensive, would get literally beat up…as the starting defensive team went full bore. Rick never complained, kept coming back practice after practice. I had great admiration for his courage, his persistence and his poise while under fire.”
Richard was also known by his fellow cadets for his dependability, character, and calm demeanor. Charlie Williams commented that “Rich and I were roommates as plebes. He was a good and noble man. We had each other’s ‘6.’”
Following West Point, Richard completed Ranger and Airborne courses, and his assignments included an Air Defense Artillery unit in Wildflecken, Germany, 1967-70; Chu Lai, Vietnam 1969-70; research analyst, USAADS, Fort Bliss, TX, 1979-82; Korea, 1978-79; SOASA, Pentagon, 1979-82; Budingen, Germany, battalion commander, 1982-84; Wurzburg, Germany, deputy commander, AD brigade 1984-86; and Pentagon, SAOASA, 1986-92. Gary Stewart, who served with Richard after West Point said, “…we got to know each other very well. Richard was a fine officer and a great friend, well respected by all who knew him.”
Richard also pursued advanced education: master’s degree in ORSA, Naval Postgraduate School, 1973, and the ICAF, 1986-87. His awards included two Bronze Stars, Purple Heart and Legion of Merit.
Richard married Diane Farrell, also a Bishop Gorman alumnus, at St. Anne’s Church in Las Vegas in 1967. They made their first home in Wildflecken, Germany. They have three children: Kevin, married to Kim living in Chicago, IL; Deanna, married to Jeremey Westmark, living in Boise, ID with three children: Jonathan, Adam and Emma; and Brett, married to Joylin with three children: Aidan, Avery and Rhys, living in Chesterfield, MO. Diane resides in Henderson, NV. Both Kevin and Brett earned undergraduate and master’s degrees in business, and Deanna earned an undergraduate and a master’s degree in education.
In 1992, after serving 26 years, Richard retired as a colonel. His next professional chapter was in the hospitality industry, holding several senior executive leadership positions with diverse large-scale and integrated casino gaming, entertainment and hospitality companies across the United States. This was the perfect career transition, allowing Richard to translate and utilize his highly personalized and mentoring leadership style to inspire thousands of leaders and team members to excel. Richard wanted to be remembered by those he worked with and led for having positively impacted their lives and careers; he imparted a lasting impression. A former employee said: “Mr. Kline was my direct boss…I had never known a more selfless person until I met Mr. Kline…not only good to me, but…with my coworkers. His kindness was talked about for years….”
Richard was very active with his children and encouraged them to pursue their interests, a year-round commitment with soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, gymnastics, football, track, and scouts. His legacy with his children is best represented through his constant reassurance, wisdom, guidance through adolescence, college, marrying and starting families, and establishing themselves professionally. His example inspired them to be the best they could be as leaders and people. They were raised to finish projects, be resilient and persistent in all pursuits.
Richard cherished time with his six grandchildren. Regardless of activity, he pursued every occasion with joy and thankfulness. Richard enjoyed participating in whatever his grandchildren presented, from home-made magic shows, to building Lego car washes for matchbox cars, to long math flashcard sessions, to watching his granddaughter’s dance shows. While we remember extended family trips and experiences, his grandchildren remember their grandfather most for these precious and priceless moments together. Grandson Jonathan described it best: “Papa would always do what we wanted to do.”
Richard thrived being active. An avid runner, he enjoyed running 5K and 10K races. Richard enjoyed golfing with his sons and played multiple rounds of golf at Pebble Beach and attended the Masters and U.S. Open tournaments. Richard loved to travel. He relished the history and different cultures he experienced in the military, which carried over to retirement. Richard and Diane shared many wonderful vacations with family and friends, including visiting the beautiful UNESCO heritage site Lijiang Old City, Yunnan Province China, walking on the Great Wall, running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain and climbing the Holy Steps at St. John Lateran in Rome on his knees. Their favorites were Maine and Hawaii. They celebrated their 40th anniversary with family in Kennebunkport, ME and their 45th anniversary in Kauai. HI.
Richard always led with his heart. A constant throughout his life was his selflessness and care for others. The more he gave of himself the more joy and fulfillment he received. Asking his family what they remember most, it’s his ear to ear smile, he always lit up any room he entered. He naturally comforted others and exhibited patience with ease.
Dick Murray summed up his reflection of Richard: “…a man of impeccable character and honor. He personified the ideals of what West Point was truly all about. He was the ‘real deal’; ‘the genuine article.’ The summation of these characteristics is what made Rick such a great soldier, person and terrific leader of men.”
— The Kline Family, Diane, Kevin, Deanna and Brett