SAM Magazine-Kirkwood, Calif., May 18, 2011-Bud Klien, founder of Kirkwood resort, has died at the age of 83 after a battle with cancer. Klien, a number one draft pick for the Red Sox upon his graduation from Stanford in 1950, choose to return to California and help run his family's agricultural business rather than play ball. He switched to the snow industry in the early 1970s when he led a group of investors to develop Kirkwood. "Over the past several years Bud has encouraged us all to 'finish the painting' that he started, and we intend to do everything we can to support his legacy," Kirkwood officials said in a statement. "Bud Klein represented all things Kirkwood and he will be deeply missed." Klein is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jane, and three of their children.

• Previous
  Resorts Post Records, Extend Seasons, Host Rail Jams
• Next
  Perisher Kicks Off Southern Hemisphere Season