Richard William Klein
Dick Klein was a man who served his faith throughout his life and loved his family dearly. He will be greatly missed by his loved ones and the communities he served.
It is with a mix of deep sorrow and resurrection joy that we announce the passing of Richard William Klein, 98, faithful husband, beloved father, grandfather, pastor and friend, who left us peacefully Feb. 3, 2025, at Holy Family Hospital, Spokane, Wash.
Richard “Dick” Klein was born Oct. 25, 1926, to Hugo and Esther Klein. He was raised in Southern California with his four siblings; Jane, Joanne, Nancy and Calvin. Richard attended BIOLA (Bible Institute of Los Angeles) in La Mirada, Calif. His education journey continued, attending Whitworth College. While on a tour with the Whitworth College choir, he met and fell in love with the love of his life, Ardith Moberly. Dick attended San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo, Calif., where he was ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church. Dick and Ardith were married July 3, 1954, at the Whitworth College chapel. They were a wonderful match for their complementing personalities, temperaments and talents. They were partners in both their marriage and ministry for 70 years.
Richard was a faithful pastor with a heart for his Savior, Jesus. He served as pastor in nine different churches. He began in Entiat, Wash., in 1955. His first son, James, was born in Entiat, Wash. Steven was born while Dick pastored the Walla Walla Presbyterian Church. Ardith gave birth to daughter Mary while they served in East San Diego. Dick served in El Cajon, Calif., and Weiser, Idaho, before moving the family to Ephrata, Wash., where he pastored for 15 years. These were good years for the Klein family. Dick completed his years of pastoring in Wendell, Idaho. Dick and Ardith served for a short time on Metlakatla Island in Alaska. They made a beautiful ministry couple with Ardith adding spunk and energy to Dick’s teaching and preaching ministry.
Dick loved to study God’s word and spent countless hours digging into the scripture to bring fresh insights and wisdom from the pulpit. He was a quiet, supportive and gentle man. He loved to ride his bike, garden, putter around in his garage and take road trips with Ardith. He volunteered for many years in the Kiwanis Club in Ephrata. He loved to drive his old wooden blue boat fishing or pulling water skiers and boogie boarders with the help of Ardith.
Richard is survived by his three beloved children, James Klein, Steven Klein and Mary Ekblad, nine grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Richard’s life will be held Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Redemption Church, 400 E. Grace Street Medical Lake, Wash. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Beautiful Gate Ministries P.O. Box 515, Deer Park, WA 99006, a ministry within the family that trains pastors in Africa.