Services for a joint Celebration of Life are pending at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home for Pauline P. and Richard E. Klingler, of Naples, Fla., both formerly of Elkhart, Ind. Pauline P. Klingler, 94, died July 24, 2022, in Naples and Richard E. Klingler, 97, died Aug. 16, 2024, in Naples.
According to the Tin Can Tourists website, the Holiday Rambler Company was founded by Richard Klingler in his hometown of Wakarusa, Ind., 10 miles south of Elkhart, Ind., where he started building trailer parts in a chicken coop and assembling the trailers outdoors in the 1950s. The first Holiday Rambler recreational vehicle was a travel trailer introduced to the public in 1953 by the Klingler Corporation. A fully restored example is in the RV/MH Hall of Fame & Museum in Elkhart, Ind.
Always an industry pioneer, Holiday Rambler was responsible for many firsts: built-in refrigerators, holding tanks, aerodynamic radius-ed corners and originated the 48-inch-wide dinette/bed concept.
In 1961, Holiday Rambler’s introduction of aluminum body framing ushered in a new era of lighter, stronger and more durable recreational vehicles. This aluminum frame (Alumaframe) became the standard for lighter and stronger RVs for 40 years. As Holiday Rambler moved into motorhomes, they were the first with tag axles and the kitchen slideout revolutionized “interior engineering” in the field.
Holiday Rambler was sold to Harley-Davidson in 1986 and later in 1996 to the Monaco Coach Corporation. In May 2013, Holiday Rambler was sold by Navistar International Corp. to Allied Specialty Vehicles. Allied Specialty Vehicles became REV Grou, Inc. in 2010.
Klingler was a 1978 inductee into the RV/MH Hall of Fame.
Upon hearing the news, the RV Industry Association released the following statement:
“The RV Industry Association mourns the passing of Dick Klingler. He was an innovator and pioneer founding one of the industry’s iconic brands in Holiday Rambler. He was also a passionate advocate for the association and through his service on the executive committee, board of directors, and committees in the early years of the association, he helped build a foundation for the organization to grow and flourish. On behalf of our members, the RV Industry Association extends heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.”
