Richard David Kline

St. John XXIII

In the early morning hours on Good Friday, March 25th, Richard Kline passed away after a long and courageous battle with prostate cancer.

Richard was born on February 21, 1944 in New York City. His family moved to Las Vegas early in his life. He graduated from Bishop Gorman High School in 1962. Richard attended West Point Military Academy and was a member of the historic class of 1966. Immediately following West Point, Richard completed Airborne and Ranger training and was eventually deployed to Vietnam where he served as the Battery Commander for the 56th Air Defense Artillery. Richard completed his tour of duty in Vietnam in 1970 and attended the Air Defense Artillery Officer Advanced Course at Fort Bliss, Texas. From there, he was accepted to the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California and earned his Masters Degree in Operations Research and Systems Analysis. After a few air defense command assignments that included an assignment to Operations Research Systems for the Air Force for Space Systems in Washington D.C., Richard and his family moved to Budingen, Germany to become Battalion Commander for the 61st Air Defense Artillery. He was then assigned to Wurzburg, Germany as the Brigade Deputy Commander for the 69th Brigade, 32nd AADCOM. Richard and family returned to the United States where he attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces now known as the Eisenhower School at Ft. McNair. He then assumed senior level assignments overseeing US missile systems at the Pentagon. Richard served his country for 26 years in Vietnam, South Korea, Germany and several assignments across the United States until his retirement as a full colonel in 1992.

In the years following his retirement from the Army, Richard went on to hold a variety of executive management positions within the gaming and hospitality industry.

Richard always led with his heart. What was constant throughout his life was his selflessness and care for others. The more he gave of himself the more joy and fulfillment he received.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind, regard one another as more important than yourselves. Philippians 2:3

In the purest sense, Richard’s leadership legacy was most evident with those closest to him…his family. He deeply loved his wife Diane with his entire heart and soul, he passionately injected his faith and wisdom into his 3 children Kevin, Deanna and Brett, he provided a gentle guidance only a big brother can with his sister Irene, and was a larger-than-life role model to all. Richard could only do so much for his family in life but we are now humbled in knowing that his presence in our lives is now boundless.

LOVE bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7

Richard’s physical battles are over now. He has received the ultimate reward of eternal salvation and redemption in Heaven. One can only imagine the beautiful scene of him reuniting with so many loved ones, particularly his mother Ruth and father Harold. We find peace and comfort knowing that we too will all be reunited again.

God will wipe every tear from their eyes and death will be no more. Mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for those things have passed away. Revelations 21:4

With Love,

Diane, Kevin, Deanna, Brett, Irene, Kim, Joylin, Jeremey, Aidan, Avery, Jonathan, Adam, Rhys, Emma, Kirby, Maureen, Richard, John, Lance, Carrie, Lora, Colin, Cameron

Funeral Mass Service will be held at 10:30 in the morning, on Friday April 1st at St. Francis of Assisi, 2300 Sunridge Heights Parkway, Henderson, NV followed by burial with full Military Honors at 1:30pm at Palm Eastern.