‘A generous heart’: Klein recalled for enthusiasm and love of Dalton

Published 6:53 pm Friday, December 9, 2016

Rick Klein wasn’t originally from Dalton but he really adopted this community as his home, says Margaret Zeisig, director of community solutions at the United Way of Northwest Georgia.

“He was a very dedicated volunteer,” she said of Klein, who served as the organization’s chairman in 1991. “He felt blessed in his life, and he felt a need to give back to others.”

Klein, who retired as CEO of Brown Industries, passed away on Dec. 1.

“He was an individual who loved this community and who demonstrated that love through the generous giving of not only his financial resources but also of his time,” said Holly Rice, executive director of the Family Support Council

Klein served as board president of the Family Support Council for about 15 years ago.

“After he resigned from the board he continued to support our mission by volunteering at every opportunity,” Rice said. “He loved to cook for people. He cooked breakfast every year for the children at our summer camps. He was also a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) and advocated for children who have been removed from the custody of their parents. On the day that he died he was at Family Support Council working on a CASA case. A staff member had a flat tire and he immediately offered to change the tire. He died a few minutes after completing yet one more act of kindness. To the very end of his life he was joyfully helping other people.”

Rob Cowan was a long-time friend of Klein’s who served with him on the Family Support Council board.

“He was a leader by example,” Cowan said. “He was the kind of person you wanted to be around. He was very enthusiastic. If he saw a problem he thought needed to be solved or a situation that needed to be resolved, he looked for a resolution. He never had a political agenda. He just wanted what was best for our community.”

Klein served Brown Industries for nearly 30 years as chief financial officer and later as CEO before retiring earlier this year.

“In addition to his many accomplishments at Brown, Rick remained active in our community, constantly giving of his time and resources to help others,” said Brown Industries President Stuart Nelson. “Rick was a leader with a generous heart. The loss of Rick and his incredibly big heart will be felt by many. He touched the lives of many, including mine. He was my friend and I will miss him greatly.”