Richard George Klusza

Mr. Richard George "Dick" Klusza, 83, of Lakeland, died Sunday, July 22, 2018, at home following an extended illness. A native of New Jersey, Mr. Klusza was the son of the late Michael and Sophie Klusza, both of whom were first-generation Americans of Hungarian descent. In 1950, his family moved to Florida, where they lived in Riviera Beach. Mr. Klusza graduated from Palm Beach High School in 1953. He went on to graduate from the University of Florida and remained a proud Gator fan throughout his life. With the late William Wheeler, he established Wheeler and Klusza Real Estate Appraisers in Lakeland in 1971, and Klusza and Associates in 1986. Mr. Klusza was a long-time and active member of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers and Society of Real Estate Appraisers, serving at the national level and working on the unification of these organizations in 1991 to form the Appraisal Institute. He was involved in the Lakeland community, where he was a founder of the Lakeland YMCA, served terms as president of the Lakeland High School Band Parents Association and the Lakeland Board of Realtors, as well as taught Sunday school in the Methodist Church. Over the years, he was the recipient of many awards both professionally and in recognition of his leadership in the community. Mr. Klusza enjoyed spending time with his family, travel, photography, and rooting for his beloved Gators, Rays, and Bucs. Mr. Klusza was preceded in death by his first wife, Joan Klusza, and his parents, Michael and Sophie Klusza. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Judith Klusza, brother, Ronald Klusza (Mickie) of Valencia, California, his son Mark Klusza of Houston, Texas, his daughter Kimberly Klusza of Hendersonville, North Carolina, stepson Jonathan Goding (Cynthia) of Tampa, stepson Brian Goding (Christine) of Lakeland; grandchildren Christopher Goding (Mae), Erin Goding (Mieshko Debicki), Eric Goding, Andrew Goding, Alec Klusza, Caroline Klusza, Rachel Goding, and Reece Klusza. Funeral Services for Mr. Klusza will be conducted at 2:00 PM, Saturday, July 28, 2018, at Heath Funeral Chapel, Lakeland, Florida. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Burial Park. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service at Heath Funeral Chapel.