Richard McKimmy Obituary (1930 – 2021) – Toledo, OH

(News Story) Richard Allen “Dick” McKimmy, a native of Toledo, co-founder of McKimmy & Elliot Distributing Co. that later became Kitchen Design Plus – specializing in kitchen and bathroom design and remodeling – died on June 4th at home in Chandler, Arizona. He was 90.

He died from a stroke, said his wife, Kathy McKimmy, and had previously suffered several strokes.

Born on August 5, 1930 in Toledo to David and Mary Francis McKimmy, he graduated from DeVilbiss High School, joined the Marine Corps and was stationed in Puerto Rico during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged as a corporal in 1952 and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the then University of Toledo in 1955.

Mr. McKimmy’s first job after graduation was selling kitchens for McGranahan Distributing. After five years, Mr. McKimmy and Chuck Elliot founded McKimmy & Elliot Distributing Co. in 1963, which sold equipment. After Mr. Elliot’s death, Mr. McKimmy continued to expand the business and set up Kitchen Design Plus with a showroom in South Toledo.

“He loved to bargain,” said Mrs. McKimmy. “He loved the hunt for new products. And he just loved selling, selling in the showroom. That was really his strength. He just exuded confidence.”

In late 2003, Kitchen Design Plus and sister company RAM Marketing had sales of approximately $ 7 million, according to a small business profile published at the time, The Blade.

In 1982 Mrs. McKimmy attended a breakfast meeting between her friend and the man who was to become her husband. The latter offered her a job as an administrative assistant and eventually wore her down to foster a personal relationship.

“He was persistent,” said Mrs. McKimmy with a laugh. “When Dick saw what he wanted, he didn’t give up until he got what he wanted. I was a bit more of a challenge for him as I was from New York and was more suspicious of people.”

The couple married on August 21, 1993 and continued to work side by side in the business.

“We were a team,” she said. “We really played ourselves out. It was real respect.”

Mrs. McKimmy said her husband’s leadership style is inclusive and he holds large meetings with everyone from administration to janitorial staff.

“He wanted everyone to be there,” she said. “He said it’s because everyone has an idea, an opinion, and he wanted to hear it from everyone. He had no ego at all.”

Mr. McKimmy was known for what his wife called generous attitudes.

“He was such a unique person, generous beyond measure,” said his wife. “He would help everyone with their happiness.”

At home, Mrs. McKimmy said her husband was never boring. They talked, rode the boat and dived, went skiing and traveled. Mr. McKimmy, in his 30s, became a licensed pilot and owned an Aztec twin-engine aircraft that they flew around the country for both business and pleasure.

“We were very active,” said Mrs. McKimmy. “He would surprise me with a trip to Italy or something. He was really in love with me. He gave me a life that I only imagined.”

The couple owned a home in Vail, Colorado that made it a full-time residence in 2000 while Mr. McKimmy continued to travel to the Toledo area on business. After his retirement, they moved to Arizona in 2006 and passed the business on to his son Patrick McKimmy.

Survivors are Mr. McKimmy’s wife, Kathy; Daughters Bridgett Perino and Kelly Rogers, sons Patrick and Timothy McKimmy, and sister Barbara Connelly.

Agreements are still pending.

This is a message from Alexandra Mester. Contact them at: [email protected] or on Twitter @AlexMesterBlade.

Published by The Blade on June 27, 2021.