September 28, 2025 – West Bend, Wi – Longtime West Bend Rotarian Richard ‘Dick’ Klumb has died.
Klumb, a faithful neighbor, devoted husband, and proud Rotarian, passed away peacefully at his home in West Bend on Saturday, September 27, 2025. He was 94.
Born and raised in West Bend, Klumb’s heart never strayed far from his hometown. While in high school, he met the love of his life, Margaret “Margie” Groh. The two were married on September 19, 1953, shortly after Richard graduated from college.
That same year, Richard was drafted into the U.S. Army and served two years at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where Margie joined him as a proud Army wife. It was during those years their first child was born.
When their service chapter closed, the Klumb’s returned to West Bend and built a life that welcomed three more children.
Richard and Margie shared 66 years of marriage filled with devotion to one another, their family, and their community. Margie passed September 1, 2020, at the age of 89. Richard often spoke fondly of “his Margie,” and friends spoke about how they find comfort knowing the two are reunited again.
The Klumbs raised four children: Douglas J. (Janine), David, Lynn K. Fisher, Diane M. (Joseph) Carlson.
Richard’s dedication to the West Bend community was unmatched. A member of the Rotary Club for more than 55 years, he was a familiar face at Rotary Seafood Fest and the Shrimp Boil.
Fellow Rotarian Jerry Mehring remembered Klumb for his sharp memory of West Bend’s history and his willingness to pitch in wherever needed. He was honored multiple times as a Paul Harris Fellow for his service.
In later years, Richard stayed active as a volunteer and cashier at the Habitat for Humanity store, where he took great pride in the organization’s mission. “He was a staple in the community,” said longtime friend Barb Justman. “Always there, always ready to help.”
Justman said Klumb raved about his work at Habitat for Humanity. “Whenever we’d have a chamber meeting, everybody else gave some kind of introduction about themselves and it was anywhere from, like, two seconds, two minutes, and when Richard spoke, he took up about 15 to 20 minutes and all he talked about was Habitat.”
Even as his health slowed him down, Richard remained determined to be present.
Neighbors would drive him to 8 a.m. Mass on Sundays at Holy Angels Catholic Church. He was recently at the Rotary’s Steak Fry, and he celebrated his 94th birthday at a party with Russ and Laurie Wanta.
“Dick often used his little scooter to visit the farmers market,” said Jerry Mehring. “He joked and said it was about a ’40-minute ride’ from his home west of St. Frances Cabrini Church. Good thing he had a long charge in that battery.”
Mehring said, “Richard never lost his spirit of service.”
“It’s a big loss for the community. He brought knowledge, history, and dedication everywhere he went.”
Funeral details will be published when details become available.
