Richard William Klein

Richard William Klein was born in Spokane, Washington on March 8, 1931. His parents, Albert and Dora Klein, had seven children with Dick smack dab in the middle. Shortly after his birth, the Kleins moved to Seattle, and it was here Dick spent the rest of his life.

After graduating from Broadway High School, Dick attended the University of Washington, completing a degree in mechanical engineering. He was involved as partner and owner in a number of successful businesses, finally retiring in 1992 as owner and President of Pacific Systems, where he manufactured switches for executive jets.

Once retired, Dick concentrated on his true love: boating.

Since age eight, Dick Klein had been a keen boater and built his first of many sailboats while still in high school. By the by, you can still see that boat sailing around Lake Union – when Dick built something, it was built to last. He spent much of his youth exploring the waters of the San Juan Islands. Married four times, Dick inculcated each of his brides (and subsequent children) into the esoterica of navigation and living an on-board life, and reveled in introducing friends and family to favorite byways, anchorages, and fishing spots.

Dick purchased his last boat, Honeybun, in 1991. He and his brother Harold circumnavigated Vancouver Island with their wives, and later Dick and his wife Gail boated to Alaska with close friends. Many happy hours were spent on the intrepid Honeybun, many rockfish caught, many delicious crabs consumed.

Dick actively captained Honeybun, taking her north into the San Juans each summer up until his death in December 2013.

Dick Klein is survived by his wife Gail; his children Deborah Klein, Christopher Klein, Helen McConkey, Dana Phelps, and Steffan Clements; 13 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; and his sisters Pauline and Elle.