Richard Alan Klein, age 49 of Friendship, Wisconsin passed away Friday, December 30, 2005 at the U.W. Hospital in Madison following a courageous battle with leukemia. Funeral Services were on Monday, January 2, 4:00 p.m. at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church. Father James McNamee officiated. Interment will be in Quincy Cemetery.

Rick was born February 19, 1956 to Michael and Hilma (Lecy) Klein at Kenosha, Wisconsin. As a young boy of 11, he showed great promise and initiative as a businessman, mowing lawns in the summer and pumping gas at the local marina for spending money. Once on a family trip to Tennessee his father acquired some fireworks and gave Rick and his brother Scott each half. Scott had fun, fired them all off, Rick shot off a couple, and sold the rest for profit at school. In 1970, Rick’s father Mickey started a snowmobile business and the boys became heavily involved in snowmobile racing. Each weekend they traveled around the state to race, bring home lots of trophies and price money. Senior year Rick and his brother bought and ran their father’s business for a year before selling it.

Rick was a very dedicated, disciplined and accomplished athlete, graduating A-F High School in 1974 with several athletic honors and awards. Immediately after graduation, Rick began working for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad as a Train Dispatcher and remained there until 1977 when he purchased Edgewater Marine on Castle Rock Lake from Harold "Happy" Strand. He owned and operated the Marina until his recent death.

Rick was very community minded and belonged to several service organizations. He was a charter member and past president of the Castle Rock Lions, a member and past president of the Castle Rock Bassmasters, serving on the 2000 Wisconsin State Bassmasters Team. For several years, he assisted and coached Little League and girls 7-8 grade basketball. Rick was also a member and or held positions in the Adams County Chamber of Commerce, Castle Rock and Petenwell Lakes Assoc., the Dellwood Snowmobile Club, the Rustic Ridge Riders snowmobile Club, the North star Pool League, Men’s Softball League and was a member and sponsor for the Arkdale Co-Ed Slow-pitch Softball League. He also belonged to the St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish in Friendship. In 1998, he was awarded the A-F Distinguished Alumnus Award for community services.

Rick was a driven and successful businessman, earning several business and manufacturer’s awards, among those; "Outstanding Outboard Dealer of the Year" award, and Skidoo’s "Dealer of the Year".

Rick was an avid boater, fisherman, hunter and sportsman. His competitive spirit gained him recognition in the Vintage Snowmobile Racing circuit and earned him many awards including World Championship Titles in 2001 and 2004.

Throughout his life, Rick remained true to himself. He was a devoted husband and a proud and loving father. He was kind, trustworthy, fair and honest, witty, fun loving and dignified up to the moment of his death. He was an inspiration to many who knew him and will be sorrowfully missed.

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Klein, son, Paul Klein, daughter, Kimberly Klein, Parents, Michael and Hilma Klein, brother, Scott (Sue Ratzlaff) Klein, all of Friendship, In-Laws, Theodore and Ellen Kobs of Adams, brother and sister in laws, nieces, nephews, and many more relatives and friends.