Kaeser & Blair Chairman Richard Kaeser Passes Away at 82

Richard E. (Dick) Kaeser passed away Thursday, August 11 at the age of 82. He is survived by his wife of 59 years Claire, daughter Christy Kaeser, and son Kurt Kaeser. Dick was a decorated U.S. Army Officer who served during the Korean War.

Dick was an innovator bringing many original concepts to Kaeser & Blair and to the industry. In 1980 he instituted a referral program for K&B Dealers (the independent sales people/business owners that work with K&B). Dick realized that many dealers knew others that could thrive in the promotional advertising business if they had the support of K&B. He built an ongoing program to bring new dealers into the organization and compensate existing dealers at the same time. Today that program adds more than $1 million to dealers' incomes each year.

Dick was at his core a salesman and wanted K&B Dealers to receive their profits in full and promptly. He was instrumental in developing the innovative and still exclusive K&B 3D (Daily Direct Deposit) program. Dealers are advanced their full earnings by ACH wire transfer the same day orders are processed.

Seeking to deliver goods to customers faster, Dick built relationships with top industry vendors which exchanged quicker production for quicker payment. Production times for K&B orders went from weeks to days. The experience gained by vendors led to quicker production throughout the industry, a key factor in the overall growth of the industry.

Dick was currently serving as chairman of the board of Kaeser & Blair Inc. His 61 year working career was dedicated to serving the Kaeser & Blair family of independent dealers. He was known for his integrity, expertise, and enthusiasm. The most prestigious sales award K&B gives each year is named the Dick Kaeser Legend Award to honor and distinguish the most elite professional dealers.