Ryk Kluver Obituary

On May 24, 2018, we lost our dear Ryk Kluver. He died doing what he loved, riding perfect waves on a beautiful sunny morning near Mazatl n, Mexico. Ryk was born on June 11, 1953, in South Dakota to Edmund and Shirley Kluver. He was raised on a farm with his six brothers and sisters. It was on the farm that he learned the value of honest work and simple living. When Ryk was ten years old, the family moved to Oxnard, California. Here he developed his passions for music and sports. His quirkiness was on display when he decided that the oboe was his instrument of choice. In his new home in California, Ryk developed what would become his lifelong passion for surfing. He made countless friends up and down the coast while in search of the perfect wave. Ryk initially went to college at the Citadel but found the rigid rules and regulations too confining for his boundless energy and creativity. He later enrolled in Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he fell in love with the beauty and wide open spaces of the Central Coast. Ryk spent the next forty years living on the coast in Cayucos, where he explored coves, headlands, and beaches with his motley crew of like-minded friends. Ryk married Lou Smith and became an adoring father to his daughter Elyse. He was later married to the love of his life, April Weeks, and became a loving father to then eleven-year-old Maya. Ryk was a craftsman who loved to use his hands to build beautiful objects. Through his hard work and passion for building, he became the go-to expert for the restoration of historic homes in San Luis Obispo County. Ryk was always willing to help a friend with a complicated kitchen remodel or a tricked out custom deck. Many of us lucky enough to have some of his work in our homes treasure his unique design sense and flawless construction. To watch Ryk at work was to see a master craftsman in his element. His passion for life was matched only by his boundless enthusiasm for adventure. The Cayucos Fourth of July parade was a highlight for Ryk, where he could be seen blasting surf music on a parade float with his friends in the seminal surf band The Wavehogs. He was in "Church" at the swap meet every Sunday and in heaven at home with April feeding his chickens, tending his garden, planning his next travel adventures, and hosting dinners with friends. To walk in Ryk's garden was a delight of the senses. One was always surprised by meandering paths strewn with marbles, toy soldiers, beach glass, and heart rocks. His diverse collection of succulents and cacti was legendary, as were his bowling ball sculptures. To be in his home was to be surrounded by his numerous creations and found treasures. Ryk continued his passion for music throughout his life and was an accomplished guitar player. Ryk and April delighted in collecting vintage Airstream trailers and painstakingly customizing them as whimsical, inhabitable artworks. Ryk was an outstanding cook who would delight friends and family with delicious meals often using fresh produce from his garden. Ryk was a true friend to everyone. For him, no favor was too big. He could always be counted on to be there with his truck, tools, and boundless energy or simply his warm smile and sage advice. Ryk was a surfer's surfer. He could ride large gnarly winter surf and small summer peelers with equal grace and joy. The ocean was a constant source of beauty, inspiration, and peace for him. Ryk's last day of life was spent doing what he loved: surfing on a beautiful day in Mexico with longtime and newfound friends. On that sparkling morning, Ryk rode a perfect wave to the beach and kicked out one final time. As one friend said, "The only bad thing I can say about Ryk Kluver is that he left us too early." Ryk is survived by his wife, April; his children: Elyse and Maya; and his siblings: Gwen, Clark, Mark, Barbara, David, and Patie. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the SLO Foodbank Coalition or the Lioness Club of Cayucos Trade School Scholarship.

Published by San Luis Obispo County Tribune on Jun. 10, 2018.
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Memories and Condolences
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My heart breaks for the loss of Ryk Kluver. I met Ryk through the lumber business, and of course never left touch over the almost 40 years of friendship. He was truly an incredibly generous person with his time, his emotions and spirit. As others have said, we all can only hope to pass doing something we love. The void of his spirit will not be filled, as he was unique, and very special to all of us who knew him.
RIP Ryk, and to all who will miss him, a lot of love to you as well. There are so many. I am so very sorry to have heard of this.

Don Seawater

June 24, 2018

I went to high school with Ryk - Hueneme High Class of 71. We went our separate ways many years ago but I remember him well and wished we had stayed in touch. Mutual friends kept me updated as to his life but that isn't the same as seeing and going over old times in the 70's and early 80's. Rest in peace my old friend.

Tom Blixt

June 21, 2018

Dear April and Maya, we are very very sad about the news of Ryk's passing. Our thoughts are with you. We know this is a very difficult time but you should know many people thought he was a great man. Take care and we do hope with passing time it will get easier. He was lucky to have you girls in his life. Mark and Peggy (Piper's mom)

June 18, 2018

I first met Ryk around the time his daughter, Elyse, was about a year old. I helped Ryk and Lou with child care. I loved being in the home Ryk occupied. Of course it was in Cayucos. Ryk's workspace was alive w/ creativity. Ryk was over the top with energy and the world was a better place with him in it. RIP Ryk

Shelly Stewart

June 16, 2018

Happy Birthday Ryk. Thank you for the gift of your friendship and generous spirit. We already miss you incredibly. You made everyone feel like they were your favorite friend. You taught me to enjoy the tiniest details.... to consider each material's subtle nuances... and then feature and relish that nuance. And then somehow... to even add a layer of fun and humor.

I see you everywhere I look now.

Eric Meyer

June 11, 2018

I knew Ryk years and years ago when I worked at The Spindle in SLO. I remember him as a very gentle kind man. I hadn't thought of him in years, but about three days ago he was on my mind. I find that comforting in a way. RIP Ryk.

Judy Williams

June 10, 2018

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Gale & Mary Kyle

June 10, 2018

All the tradesmen and contractors who worked for and with Ryk brought their "A Game." A glance around any of his job sites made it clear nothing else would be acceptable. I'm honored to have worked for him, to have talked story with him and to have been a fellow (but far less skilled and certainly less traveled) surfer as well. Aloha my friend.

Hardie Phillip

June 10, 2018

I was very saddened to hear of Ryk's passing today. I knew him through the Estero Bat longboard club. I enjoyed marching with the synchronizes surfboard group while listening to the Wave Hogs at the 4th of July parade and the Christmas parade in SLO.
I'm so sorry for the families loss but was stoked to hear he passed doing what he loved. RIP Ryk, surf on!

bob voglin

June 10, 2018

I met Ryk years ago because of our passion for vintage longboards.I enjoyed days in his barn,eyeing his beautiful collection,I bought a few boards from him over the years.The Central Coast has lost another pioneer of surfing.I was blessed to know him.

Larry Zacker

June 10, 2018

Having only heard of Ryk's passing a few days ago... this obit still choked me up. I first met Ryk in 1988 as a neighbor to a friend. Over the years our paths would cross and he would also stop to chat... mostly about life, taking time to enjoy our time here and matters of the heart. I was always moved by his spirituality and his heartwarming smile.

We have a birdhouse he built from the old Cass House wood during renovation. I also have a massive snake on my back deck he made for me (also of Cass House wood.)

After many years in the sun, he toted it back to his home and repaired and painted it once more. I've always loved our snake... but now I will cherish it more because of the love infused into it.

I will miss this man. My thoughts are with April, Elyse and April's daughter and Clark & Haila.

Celeste Varas de Valdes

June 10, 2018

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