Marin Richard "Dick" Klarich

Marin Richard “Dick” Klarich, 82, passed away peacefully at home after a brief illness, surrounded by his loving family and the beautiful autumn colors of the surrounding woods.

Dick was born in Chicago, IL to Marija Klarich and Slavko Klarich, recent immigrants from Croatia, and lived on the South Side for the next eight decades of his life. His earliest years were spent with his older sister Nina Klarich and younger brother F. John Klarich in the Bridgeport neighborhood, followed by a move when he was 10 years old to Christ the King parish in Beverly. He attended St. Ignatius College Prep (‘58) for high school and maintained ties to SICP classmates over the years. Dick and his wife of 55 years, Mary Beth Klarich, lived in St. Barnabas parish in Beverly until retiring to Williamsburg, MA to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

Growing up in his family’s construction business– Klarich Construction Company– Dick was intrigued by everything about buildings, from architectural history to concrete technology and copper roofing. He spent his long and dynamic career working in a number of diverse positions at International Paper Company/Arvey Corporation, MCZ Development Corporation and Avatar Architects, and at his beloved Museum of Science and Industry for 22 years. Many friends and family members had the pleasure of taking a “behind the scenes” tour of his many projects over the years– the U505 Submarine exhibit, the Boeing 727 installation, and the Pioneer Zephyr move/underground garage construction, among many. Dick retired as Capital Program Manager in 2016 and continued to work at MSI as a dedicated volunteer until his move to the East Coast.

Dick spent much of his life with jazz playing in the background, a love that began in high school playing saxophone with the Melody Knights and that he shared with Mary Beth throughout the years. They frequented the Jazz Showcase, Ravinia, Orchestra Hall, and other Chicago institutions where they could hear their favorite bands and fostered many friendships along the way. Dick was also an avid photographer, mostly of people and buildings, and his children have fond memories of exploring abandoned steel mills and construction sites as he searched for the “perfect light” or angle for his compositions.

Dick was a truly dedicated and loving father to Rich, Liz and Matt. He was known to drive all over Chicago (always taking the most efficient route) to take his kids to glider lessons, music camps, soccer games, science fairs, and other events. He celebrated their accomplishments and was a steadfast supporter of their dreams and career goals, however unconventional they may have seemed at the time. Since all three kids were constantly on the move as adults, Dick and Mary Beth took frequent trips to visit them across the country, which he documented with millions of photos that will be treasured. Their recent move “to the country” gave him the opportunity to take daily walks in the woods, frequent the Meekins Library, attend soccer games and rock concerts, and watch “old movies” with his beloved grandchildren.

Dick is survived by his wife Mary Beth, children Richard Klarich (Marisa Klarich), Elizabeth Klarich (Matt Wilhelm), and Matthew Klarich (Crystal Klarich), and his grandchildren Ruby, Corbin, Teddy and Gabriel. There are no services planned at this time, but the family would be happy to hear from friends and family with their memories. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Dick’s name to the Museum of Science and Industry Building Preservation Fund in Chicago, IL or to the Friends of the Williamsburg Libraries, Williamsburg, MA.

https://www.msichicago.org/support/donate/more-ways-to-give/
https://www.meekins-library.org/Pages/Index/194235/about-the-friends