- Richard Kline (businessman)
Richard Kline is a
University of Virginia graduate, entrepreneur,Virginia Beach businessman and civic leader."Director’s Profile: Richard H. Kline," Ledger-Star, September 28, 1973, B3. ] After graduating from the University of Virginia, Kline was accepted into the General Motors Institute Kline Named for Institute,” Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch, March 8, 1950] (now known asKettering University ) inFlint, Michigan .In 1964, he started his company, RK Chevrolet"Virginia Beach, VA. Auto Dealer Buys Hampton, VA Dealership," Knight Ridder/Tribute Business News February 8, 2001 http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-71098593.html and The Virginian-Pilot and Ledger Star January 14, 1979, p. D5] , also known as RK Auto, becoming one of the country’s youngest
Chevrolet dealers"Clark Chevrolet Now R. K. Chevrolet," The Virginian-Pilot, Saturday, July 25, 1964 p. 12] .In 1973, Kline was chosen to serve on the board of directors of the newly restructured First & Merchants National Bank of Tidewater.F & M restructures banking operations,” Ledger-Star, September 28, 1973, B3. ]
In 1973, in his position as the President of the Virginia Beach
Chamber of Commerce , he founded theNeptune Festival "A Festive Idea Turns 25" by Pam Starr, The Virginian Pilot, September 25, 1998, http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-68451252.html] . Thisfestival honors the unique heritage of the Virginia Beach area and is now one of the top ten festivals on the east coast of the United States."A Festive Idea Turns 25" by Pam Starr, The Virginian Pilot, September 25, 1998, http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-68451252.html] .During his tenure as Chamber of Commerce president, the new central headquarters for the Virginia Beach Chamber of Commerce was built on
Virginia Beach Boulevard . Richard Kline has served as chairperson of the Virginia Beach Industrial Authority "Director’s Profile: Richard H. Kline," Ledger-Star, September 28, 1973, B3. ] and Honorary Chairman of the Virginia Beach Heart Fund "Exclusive Club: Former Neptune Leaders," The Beacon, September 14 / 15, 1978, p. N9. ] . Kline also created the Kline Endowment for Cardiovascular Research and the Kline Endowment for Prostate Cancer Research, both through the Eastern Virginia Medical School"Richard Kline builds cardiovascular endowment," EVMS Chronicle, June 2004, p. 3. ] .Honors
Richard Kline was chosen as the
Rotarian of the Year in 1970.“Top Honor for Kline,” The Beacon, July 9, 1970. ]References
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