Bill Kling

Today we celebrate Bill Kling, a former runner and veteran of many marathons who passed away ten years ago from ALS. His story was sent to us by his friend and running partner, Thomas Mundhenk - who, for many years, welcomed the arrival of Fall with Bill by pounding the pavement for a half-marathon. In his note, he said that Bill was especially fond of the White Mountains in New Hampshire, which Ben tred through in the latter-half of the previous week. Thomas's words make it clear that Bill was a good man, and dear friend; he described a special location within the range - that made them seem familiar even before Ben arrived:   Thomas explains, "Bill was a runner and loved many things. One of them was the area of the White Mountains where you [Ben] will pass. In fact not long after you cross what may be the highest point of your trip, the peak of Mount Washington, there is a trail down Tuckerman's Ravine where there was, and hopefully still is, a medical supply facility utilized by the National Forest Service and the Mount Washington Volunteer Ski Patrol. This was installed and dedicated in Bill's honor by friends, family and the people he worked with at the Bucks County District Attorney's office."   Thank you, Thomas, for sharing your tribute with us. Your compassion reminds us what a tremendous gift friendship is - and makes us wonder at how we encounter those remarkable people at all. How truly fortunate we are to have the opportunity to offer friendship to another person. Here's to a beautiful day ahead - and here's to you Bill Kling.   *be well, Crew 2175  _______________________________________ Below is an article first printed in the Bucks County Courier Times on Sept. 10, 1998.   "Local Runners Remember Beloved Bill Kling"   Bill Kling's spirit defined what running is all about.   The health benefits of this form of exercise are obvious. But once you go beyond that, to the sociological, intangible gains, that's where people like Kling come to the forefront.   That is why the local running community will sadly miss Kling, who died of Lou Gehrig's disease last month at the all-too young age of 53.   Kling, a veteran detective of the Bucks County district attorney's office, was a prime force in getting the Buck's County Roadrunners on the move in the late 70's.   He drove to far-way marathons and exotic adventures like the Mt. Washington (N.H.) run/climb with other club members and helped organize local races.   But perhaps his greatest "accomplishment" was the formation of "Bill's Birthday Run."   The tradition started in 1980 when, teased by a friend because his hair was showing a bit of gray, he responded by saying he could run as many miles as he was years old.   He was 35 at the time.   To keep him company, he dragged along 15 or 20 close friends. They started in downtown Philadelphia, ran all over the city, up the Valley Green near Chestnut Hill, then retraced the route. It was Super Bowl Sunday, 1980, and a tradition was started. It became an annual event and each year the mileage increased by one.   "I remember he took us to a race where we had to run across the state of Delaware," recalled Rich Riggi, one of Bill's friends. "It was 13 o r 14 miles and the incentive was a pancake breakfast at the finish line.   "It was Bill, Paul Gilbert, Larry Waldman and myself. I guess it was about 1979. When we got  done, we were sitting there and Bill was really enjoying himself. I think he did the race just for the pancake breakfast and to be with friends."   Waldman said about 300 people attended the memorial service for Kling.   "He was loved by everyone." said Waldman, who is one of only about 60 runners to have competed in all 20 Philadelphia Distance Runs. "I remember the birthday runs. His wife (Joanne) used to bring cookies and drive in a van behind us. We were all crazy back then."   Eventually, when Kling reached his 40's the runners changed the distance to kilometers. Camaraderie is on thing...   Kling had to stop running recently. His back and knee bothered him. Last November he was diagnosed with the illness, a painful condition that affects the nervous system.   Somewhere up there, Bill Kling is running again, without pain. He's watching over all the runners who are willing to take a few chances.     Below are the words spoken by Thomas Mundhenk at a service in his friends honor:   Bill Kling was my friend, my coach and as you can tell by the group of people gathered here today to celebrate his life, a very special person.   Bill had a zest for life in all that he did. He loved to ski and did it incredibly well. One of my favorite memories is a 13 mile trail we took down a glacier at the base of Mt. Blanc. He loved to run and did it so well that he ran countless marathons including pulling me through New York 10 years ago. He loved to golf and well……it was not just sports, he was passionate about many things. He had a vast knowledge of and appreciation for music and movies and was quick to share it with others. He took marvelous pictures and enjoyed wine so much that he began making his own.   Many of you know Bill through his work in law enforcement- with the Middletown police, the District Attorney’s office or the FBI Academy. I am sure you saw the same dedication and professionalism in the work that you did with him. I worked with him for a little while in the DA’s office but more than that experience, we talked as we ran and I developed a profound respect for his integrity and a profound appreciation for the work that you do.   There were mornings or even days when he would not show for our run because he had been called out in the middle of the night because of the investigation of some crime and he would come back and tell me about what had gone on and I must say that I took comfort knowing that people like Bill were out there. It was not just that he did his job with dedication and competence but that he also did it with common sense and compassion.   And this is only some of the things that I saw and l am sure as neighbors and friends and Masons many of you saw much more. He brought out the best in us and what we must remember is that enthusiasm, that love of learning, love of doing and love of sharing.   I like to think that Bill lived his life the way that he did because he knew that his was going to be too short...he wanted to take in all that it had to offer and give all that he could. I like to think that his death passes on that lesson to us.   May we all take a little bit of Bill’s spirit, his courage and his love of life, home with us today.