Frank "Rick" Robert Kauzlaric

"Along about sundown,
When my work is through;
Along about sundown,
I'm thinking of you.
The shadows are falling,
And evening is near.
The twilight is calling
Me home to you, dear."

--Frank Robert ("Rick") Kauzlaric
September 4, 1921 - December 20, 2010


Today we celebrate the life of a man who touched the hearts of so many through his songs, his poetry, and above all his love. Born in the small town of Gallup, New Mexico in 1921 to Croatian immigrants, Rick was one of nine siblings. An accident at an early age left him blind in one eye, yet this never discouraged him.


Upon graduating high school, Rick was awarded scholarships to multiple universities, which he declined in order to care for his ailing mother. His mother died at the age of 48, allegedly from the burden of working so hard to raise a family during the depression.


Rick enlisted in the Army Air Corps to fight overseas during World War II, but he was declared unfit for combat service due to being blind in one eye. Instead he was assigned ordnance duty, handling bombs, grenades and other dangerous explosives. On one occasion, Rick's heroic actions helped save the lives of his fellow soldiers during a fire at an explosives depot.


Rick settled in North Hollywood, CA after the war, taking various jobs driving truck and taxi cabs. He eventually became an armed guard and founded his own security company, the Los Angeles Guard Service, which achieved commercial success. He fell in love with a waitress from Poplar, Wisconsin named Lucille LeMone, and they were married on February 1, 1946.


To pursue his dream of becoming a singer/songwriter, Rick auditioned for and was accepted into the Herbert Wall School of Music with the assistance of the G.I. Bill. There he studied voice and composition alongside such greats as Nelson Eddy, for whom he had a deep appreciation. Along with his partner in music, Glenn Spencer, Rick wrote many songs, some of which achieved modest commercial success. Rick also wrote several books, including "The American Vigilante" and "Poems for the Common Man."


Rick was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, and is survived by his daughter Bonnie, grandsons Peter and Daniel, and siblings Vicki Doran, Anne Underwood, and Robert Kauzlaric.


He was a generous man of honor and compassion, and will be sorely missed.

Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM, Friday, January 21, 2011 at Peace Lutheran Church in Poplar, WI and continue until the 12:00 PM funeral service with Pastor Greg Gullicksrud officiating.

Burial will be in Poplar Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Duluth Combined Honor Guard.

The Downs-LeSage Funeral Home, 1304 Hammond Avenue, Superior is assisting the family with arrangements.

To leave an online condolence or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.downs-lesage.com.