Richard Mindel Klein

1932 - 2024

Richard Mindel Klein

Richard M. "Dick" Klein died peacefully on July 23, 2024. Dick was born in Toledo, Ohio, on April 12, 1932, to Alexander and Charlotte Klein. He enjoyed a lifelong, loving bond with his brothers, Thomas and James, and a wonderfully close relationship with his extended cousins and family. He graduated from Ottawa Hills High School, from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in History, and from the Ohio State University College of Dentistry, with a D.D.S. degree. He followed his father into dentistry, and had a well-regarded and well-respected dental practice in Toledo for 61 years. His father practiced from 1928 - 1975; Dick from 1958 - 2019, for a combined 91 years. He especially cherished talking with his patients and helped so many families over three generations.

He met his wife, Elizabeth Meyers (Muggsy) Klein at Michigan, on a blind date, and they were loving partners for 66 years, prior to her death in 2022. He was an avid Michigan fan for his entire life.

He was an exceptional competitive athlete, lettering in football, basketball and baseball all four years of high school. He played freshman football and basketball at the University of Michigan, before his pre-med courses took precedence. He became an outstanding amateur golfer, teaching himself, and was mentored in the game and life by his Uncle, Irvin Mindel. He won seven club championships at Glengarry Country Club in five different decades. He holds the amateur course record of 64 at Glengarry, bettering his own previous course record four times from 1969 - 1982. He honed his game at Inverness, winning the Ohio Senior Open at Sylvania Country Club in 1985, and qualified and competed in the USGA Senior Amateur later that year.

He adored his children and grandchildren and was a loving and guiding presence in their lives, always encouraging and supporting them in all pursuits, and especially their athletic endeavors. He never missed a sporting event that his kids or grandchildren were playing. He passed on his love of golf to his kids and grandchildren.

He lived in Ottawa Hills for over 85 years and served on the Ottawa Hills School Board for 12 years, including serving as Vice President. He was President of Glengarry Country Club and the Toledo District Golf Association, and a member of the Board of Inverness Club.

He maintained lifelong friendships with a dearly loved group of friends in Toledo, with Muggsy, as young couples and throughout their lives. He also remained close with his college roommates and Zeta Beta Tau fraternity brothers throughout his life. Relationships were important to him and he always made time for people. He always saw the good in people and he was incredibly proud of those he loved.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Tom; and wife, Muggsy. He is survived by his daughter, Deborah Ellen Klein, of Washington, D.C.; son, Daniel Meyers Klein (Robin) of Charleston, S.C.; granddaughters, Alexandra, Madeline (Lee), Katerina and Katya; brother, James Klein (Heide); sisters-in-law, Linda Klein and Joan Jampel; and his loving nieces and nephews and their spouses.

Funeral services will be private. The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 28, from 12-2 p.m. at Temple Shomer Emunim, 6453 W. Sylvania Ave, Sylvania. Contributions may be made to Hospice of Northwestern Ohio (Ebeid Hospice Center) https://www.hospicenwo.org, the Evans Scholarship program, https://wgaesf.org, or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Arrangements by the Robert H. WICK/Wisniewski Funeral Home, (419)535-5840.

www.wickfh.com