JOHN RICHARD "DICK" KOHLBRY

John Richard "Dick" Kohlbry died peacefully Friday, June 29, 2012 at his home in Tarpon Springs, Fla.

Born to Dr. Carl Otto and Jessamine Woodruff Kohlbry Dec. 5, 1931 in Duluth, Dick was the youngest of four siblings.

Known for his kindness, compassion, patience, thoughtfulness and hard-working character, Dick recognized those throughout his life who were excluded and quietly worked to help support their full participation in whatever endeavor they chose.

Dick graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1949, attended Carleton College and graduated from UMD in 1953. He was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas and Mildenhall/Lakenheath, England while serving in the army during the Korean Conflict.

Dick, Gordon Swenson and Cal Kaake established KSK Realty in 1962 (later Kohlbry Swenson and Associates); KSA remained successful for 40 plus years. Dick served as President of the Duluth Board of Realtors in 1966 and in a variety of capacities through the early 1990s. He served as President of the Minnesota Association of Realtors and the Duluth Board of Realtors in the late 60's and was chosen Realtor of the Year in 1969. Dick also served as the President of the Duluth Chamber of Commerce from 1970 to 1972.

A lifetime lover of the game of golf, Dick was a long-time member of Northland Country Club in Duluth and at Cypress Run Golf Club in Tarpon Springs. He was well known in the state of Minnesota as a formidable golfer, winning the inaugural Minnesota State Senior Open in 1985. In the 70's Dick had one of the greatest stretches of club golf in Northland's history which included 17 straight rounds under par. He shared 37 special years both on and off the golf course with his devoted wife Mary (Kirkwood) Kohlbry. With Mary, he was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Duluth.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Carl Jr. and Thomas S. Kohlbry and sister Mary Katherine Swanstrom, all of Duluth.

He is survived by his wife Mary of Tarpon Springs; beloved children David (Susan) Kohlbry and Sarah (David) Grosshuesch of Duluth, and Leslie (William) Smith of La Conner, Wash.; grandchildren Kelly Kohlbry, Samuel Kohlbry, and Jacob Kohlbry; sister-in-law Jane Kirkwood of St. Paul; former wife, Mary Jane Machamer Evans and many dear friends in Duluth, Tarpon Springs, and Petoskey, Mich.

PRIVATE SERVICE: will take place in Duluth at a future date. Donations may be made to Suncoast Hospice of Clearwater, Florida or your favorite charity.

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