Richard "Dick" Kah

Richard (Dick) Kah was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, on July 25, 1926. He was the only child of Harry and Gertrude Kah.

Dick graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1944. After graduation, he was drafted into the Army. He took basic training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After basic training, he was sent overseas to the Philippine Islands and was assigned to the 11th Field Artillery Battalion, which was attached to the 24th Infantry Division. These were some of the troops that landed on the beach of Okinawa in the South Pacific.

In 1945 and 1946, after the end of World War II, he was part of the troops that made up the Army of Occupation in the islands of Japan. He spent those years on the islands of Shikoku, Kyushu and Honshu. He was discharged and returned home in early 1947. He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific­ Good Conduct Medal - Victory Medal -Army of Occupation Medal (Japan). He was also qualified as a sharp shooter. He held the rank of Sergeant when discharged.

Dick attended Ohio State University in 1947 and 1948. In 1949, he moved to Denver and attended college at the University of Denver, majoring in accounting. He was a bookkeeper with a plumbing supply company, worked in the accounting department of Frontier Refining Company, and worked as a data output manager for Master Charge Credit Card. He then became part-owner, bookkeeper and treasurer of the Klein Trucking Company. He retired at the age of 62. He was also very active with Augustana Lutheran Church, spending time on the Property Committee, the Tri-R Club, counting money for the church, and other activities.

Dick met Dorothy (Dodie) Fangen in the late 1950's and they were married on July 24, 1958. They had two sons, David and Tim. David died in 1994 and Dodie died from bone cancer in 1999. His remaining son and best friend, Tim, lives in Denver with his wife, Karen, and their two children, Cassie (age 26) and Alex (age 23).

He enjoyed many activities during his lifetime. He was an expert skier. He joined the Winter Park volunteer ski patrol program in 1954 to save money on the high prices of ski tickets. Almost every winter weekend for 32 years, he took himself and his family to ski at Winter Park.

Dick also enjoyed going on motorcycle dirt bike riding trips with his son and friends. Tim saved up and bought his first motorcycle at age 14 and Dick bought his first motorcycle at age 50. They explored many trails around Colorado and Utah, creating many lasting and beautiful memories together.

To his grandkids, he was the most wonderful Papa. When they were younger, he was always up for a game of make believe, building Legos or playing card games. As they got older, he was their mentor, confidante and best friend.

Dick was a wonderful father, papa, uncle, and friend. He was larger than life to his family and will be greatly missed.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at 11am at Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 East Alameda Avenue, Denver, Colorado.

Please share memories of Dick and condolences with his family by signing the Tribute Wall above.