NORTHAMPTON - Richard M. Klein, ASLA, LEED AP and principal of The Berkshire Design Group, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, June 18, 2016,at the age of 60.

Richard was born Sept. 28, 1955, in Buffalo, New York, the son of the late Richard Klein and his loving mother Edith (Tschampel) Klein. He grew up in East Aurora, New York, attending local schools and graduating from East Aurora High School. He graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in landscape management, and also attended Harvard University before starting his career.

From a young age, Rick aspired to work as an architect, and made it a reality with the formation of The Berkshire Design Group – an award-winning, nationally recognized firm providing landscape architecture, civil engineering, land surveying, and permitting, with a focus on sustainable design. For more than 30 years, Rick and his partners worked on projects both local and national in scope.

Always living life to the fullest, Rick enjoyed playing tennis and hockey, snorkeling in the Caribbean, and traveling the world.

Rick will be sorely missed by his mother Edith Klein; his two daughters, Elizabeth Klein and her fiancée Mark Fiori, and Emily Klein and her fiancée Troy Senecal; his sisters Debra (Klein) Stoeckert and Linda Klein; his wife Fay and her children; seven nieces and nephews; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family invites you to join with them Sunday, June 26, at 1 p.m. at the Sanctuary on Willow Lake at Look Park in Northampton, to share memories and celebrate Rick's life.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in his memory be made to the Rick Klein Scholarship Fund, to support the University of Massachusetts Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning Department, Terry Rogers Trudeau, Department Manager, Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning, 109 Hills North, University of Massachusetts, 111 Thatcher Road, Ofc 1, Amherst, MA 01003-9357.

To sign a Guest Book, express condolences, share memories and read other obituaries, go to www.gazettenet.com/obituaries.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Hampshire Gazette on Jun. 24, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Klein

12 Entries

Kathleen Kelley

June 29, 2016

We started out from OSU together joining Peter and Terry in Wilmington, De. We were young and ready to see the world and experience all it had to offer. Rick was a creative genius and his designs live on as a testament of his gift. His eye delighted in new solutions to design problems. I am happy he was able to visit most of the world in his short life. My thoughts and prayers go out to his Mother, Linda, Debbie, Elizabeth and Em.

David Enberg

June 28, 2016

somewhere...rick is smiling down

June 27, 2016

We send our deepest sympathies during your time of loss. We are deeply saddened by Rick's passing. We feel honored to have gotten the chance to work closely with Rick over the last few years. He will be greatly missed and warmly remembered.

Jason Jewhurst & Jason Forney, Bruner/Cott Associates

Mark Lacombe

June 27, 2016

My thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to Rick's family. The world is a lesser place with his passing.

Tom Hartman

June 27, 2016

Our hearts go out to Rick's family and friends at this time of great loss. We are grateful for the privilege of working with Rick on many projects over the years. We will miss our friend, and he will be fondly remembered, always. Sincerely, All of us at C&H Architects

David Enberg

June 27, 2016

I would like to express my sincere condolences to your family. I only knew Rick a short time, but knew him to be a kind and compassionate person, and he will sorely be missed at work.

Stephen O'Shea

June 25, 2016

My sincerest condolences to Rick's family and friends at this very sad time. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Steve Corrigan

June 25, 2016

We will truly miss Rick. I had the oportunity to work with Rick on numerous projects the past 30 years. He is a leader that knows how to pull a team together to make beautiful places for all to enjoy.

Steve Corrigan, president
Mountain View Landscapes

June 24, 2016

Several years ago Rick generously helped protect our farm in Agawam. My wife and I have wonderful memories of Rick's concern for the environment and feel privileged to have known him.
Linda Lazarus
John Spineti
Agawam

June 24, 2016

I've enjoyed working with Rick through the years. This is such a tragic loss to so many his talents touched. Smith College will miss his expertise and the careful planning he so meticulously brought to our campus. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.

Sincerest Condolences,
Cheryl Obremski
Smith College Facilities Management

June 24, 2016

You will be in my thoughts and prayers on Sunday. May God give you the comfort and peace that only He can give. May fond memories provide smiles and warm thoughts to help support you during this time of grief.

Roberta Trutnau

June 23, 2016

The Klein Family:

"Life on a Train" - is a beautiful depiction of a person's journey through life and those that s/he meets along the way. I believe we all have profound memories of Rick since at one time or another we've board the same train.

For some, Rick had opened up their hearts and touched their souls. For others, he was the conductor who guided, mentored, helped and gave advise whether you wanted it or not. In retrospect, they were words of wisdom that formulated your roadmap. Finally as friends and family, you now live with the memories of his affection, his guidance, his ever-presence during cherished times.

I am so very sorry that Rick's journey has ended. He lives on in every beautiful design (most importantly, Elizabeth and Em) he has created. He will never be forgotten. Bon Voyage.

Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results