Richard Karn

Like the unique, free spirited man he was, Rick Karn thought freely and had the courage to hear his own voice and follow his own integrity. He didn't conform, but lived by his own convictions with a heart of gold. He lived life, explored life, and more importantly, enjoyed life with those he loved and cared about by his side. Deeply missed, he will be remembered with love.

Although conservative in nature, the decade of the 1950s sculpted the culture around the globe. From music to movies, art and media to beloved comic strips and cartoons, the population as a whole was introduced to a new way of life. In 1951, the Canadian immigration rate was clearly on the rise, and the economy boomed. Amid these exciting times, the Korean War monopolized the news waves, and clashes between communism and capitalism was cause for concern. It was indeed a time of change, especially when Richard "Rick" E. Karn, the son of Eugene and Florence (Roth) Karn, entered the amazing world around him on April 10, 1951.

Born in the southern Ontario city of Kitchener on the Grand River Valley in the tri-city area, Rick's parents were delighted by the birth of their precious first child. Although both of his parents worked, his father was the primary breadwinner, working as a tool and die maker. The oldest of three children in the Karn household, Rick was later joined by his twin sisters, Sue and Sharon. A protective big brother, he looked out for his sisters with brotherly love. From his earliest beginnings, Rick did things in his own way. While other children may have been building bridges, he was building skyscrapers.

As a young boy in 1956, Rick's family moved to the U.S., settling in Royal Oak, Michigan where they remained for the next ten years. He attended the local schools and enjoyed a typical childhood for the times filled with adventure and friends. When he was 15, the family moved to Portage where Rick completed his education. In high school, Rick was a member of the German Club, and along with his studies, helped his father at his tool and die shop, Pan-O-Grav, Inc. It was also during high school when Rick's adventurous side came out. Never one to follow the crowd, he initiated their class Senior Skip Day, or the "Senior Field Trip" as he called it. Even after pulling it off, Rick went on to graduate from Portage Northern High School with the Class of 1969.

On the threshold of the 1970s, Rick entered this new phase of his life at a time when a new way of thinking was taking place. The Vietnam War was at the forefront of politics, headlines, heartache and peace movements while racial tensions continued to soar. Rebellion and social change defined the day for young Americans when it was more important to be a free spirit than follow the norm. Although Rick began attending the University of Michigan for a period of time, his free spirited nature found him hitchhiking around the country. Following his heart, he took in the beauty around him and tasted new experiences on his road to exploring life and all it had to offer.

Wartime found Rick receiving his draft notice for the service. He reported for his physical in Detroit, only to discover he didn't get drafted after all. Although it was a sigh of relief, he couldn't help but think of friends involved in the war, but fate had other plans for him.

It was the fall of 1970, and with a little of his wandering nature behind him, Rick remained in Portage and began working in the toy department at Yankee's Department Store. While on break, he and his best buddy, Steve Beck, went to the store snack bar, where Barb Beach was working the counter. Rick’s flirting enabled him to get extra helpings while winning her heart. They also formed a lifetime friendship with those that they worked with. Rick and the guys were forever known as the "Boozer Five". Rick and Barb would eventually be married on October 19, 1974.

Already having a heart of gold, Rick's heart literally melted when he and Barb welcomed their first son, Jimmy, and again when son, Danny came along. They bought their dream home on Barton Lake where they found contentment raising their sons. He enjoyed playing a few sports, like golf, bowling and hockey, but he especially loved just taking fall boat rides with Barb on the still waters of the lake. A tried and true packrat, he'd find a use for nearly anything. True to the music of his youth, Rick was a diehard rocker. Some of his favorite groups included Iron Butterfly, Steppenwolf and the Moody Blues. As unique as Rick was, he also came to appreciate the distinctiveness in coin collecting, along with a zillion pennies that took forever to roll! In 2007, when Rick suffered a stroke, he retired and became the main cook and bottle washer at home. Over time he became an excellent cook and also baked the most delicious Lemon Meringue pies.

Faithful to his Canadian roots, Rick lived to his dying day as a Canadian citizen. He loved his parents deeply, and had the greatest respect for them, but he came to truly appreciate their role in his life as he grew older and had sons of his own. They allowed him, from an early age, to be his own person, and Rick never conformed or hid his individuality. An extremely deep thinker, his mind was always planning, calculating, dreaming and speculating. Once he set his mind to something, he gave it everything he had. If he didn't know exactly how to do something, he'd surely find a way to figure it out.

Rick was a free spirit. No one was a stranger to Rick, and he was often the life of the party. He lived fully, completely, and then some. He followed his heart, and went wherever the wind took him. He was born free to live, and indeed he did. To have known Rick Karn was to love him. A genuine, free spirited soul, he will never be far from memories reach.

Richard “Rick” Karn, age 60, of Vicksburg, passed away Wednesday, November 9, 2011. His family includes his wife, Barb; two sons: Jimmy Karn of Savannah, Georgia, Danny Karn of Kalamazoo; his parents: Eugene and Florence Karn of Portage; two sisters: Sue (Rich) Raschke of Portage, Sharon (Dave) Namenye of Davison.

Rick's family will receive friends Sunday, November 13, 2011 from 2-5 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main St., Vicksburg (649-1697). A Memorial service will be held Monday, November 14, 2011, 5:00 PM at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1747 Milham Road. Please visit Rick’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com to sign his memory book online before coming to the funeral home and to submit a favorite memory. For those who wish, memorial donations can be made to the American Heart Association and/or a charity of their choice.