[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 44 (Tuesday, April 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E604-E605]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN MEMORY OF RUSSELL T. KIKO AND WILLARD L. KIKO

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. JAMES A. TRAFICANT, JR.

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 21, 1998

  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to two 
special men and great entrepreneurs, Russell T. Kiko and Willard L. 
Kiko, both of whom recently passed away. These remarkable men 
contributed greatly to their communities, and will be deeply missed.
  Natives of Ohio, Russell, born in 1915, and his younger brother 
Willard, born in 1922, were the sons of German immigrants. They grew up 
on their family's farm, where they lived and learned with their seven 
other brothers and sisters.
  Russell stayed on his family's farm until 1944, when he first became 
involved in the auction business as a part-time job. In pursuit of this 
interest, he attended the Reppert School of Auctioneering in Decatur, 
Indiana. In 1945, using the vast stores of knowledge he gained during 
his time at Reppert, Russell started his own auction barn, Russ Kiko 
Associates, Inc. During its first year the business made $1,500. Due to 
Russ's dedication and expertise, Russ Kiko Associated, Inc. has grown 
from a modest beginning to become the largest auctioneering firm in 
Ohio. His business was built on the simple, honest motto of ``giving 
buyers and sellers a fair deal.'' A man of great integrity, Russell 
believed in keeping his business clean, and as a result, he drew a 
large following of admirers. This honest and straightforward way of 
conducting business led to recognition from his peers. Not only was 
Russell a member of the Ohio Auctioneers Hall of Fame, in 1981, he 
became the first Ohioan to be inducted into the National Auctioneers 
Hall of Fame. He retired in 1990.
  Willard also left behind the family farm, but to pursue a life 
different from his brother. In 1944 he enlisted in the United States 
Navy and served as a gunner in the Merchant Marine fleet in the Pacific 
and European theaters. His honorable and distinguished service earned 
him several awards, including: the American Area, Asiatic Pacific Area, 
and European African ME Area Ribbons, and World War II Victory Ribbon. 
Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, he became involved in the 
sheet metal trade. In 1974, he became the principle founder, along with 
his son, of yet another successful Kiko family business, Kiko Heating 
and Air Conditioning. The business is currently one of the largest 
heating and air conditioning businesses in the Akron-Canton area. 
Willard retired from his family business in 1982.
  Following their retirements, Russell and Willard, avid outdoorsmen, 
spent much time together. Sadly, their long and successful lives 
recently came to an end. Russell died on December 12, 1997, after an 
extended illness, and Willard left this Earth on February 12, 1998, due 
to heart failure. Both men were survived by large, loving families. 
Russell has left behind Coletta his wife of 59 years, 12 children, 63 
grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Willard has left Stella, his 
wife of 49 years, three children and 11 grandchildren.
  I would like to add my acknowledgment and condolences to those 
already offered by the Senate of the 122nd General Assembly of

[[Page E605]]

Ohio. Both men demonstrated unwavering commitment to their professions 
and to their communities. I extend my heart-felt sympathy to the family 
of these fine men, and hope that they will take comfort in knowing that 
all who met Russell and Willard Kiko respected them greatly. These men 
have left a permanent impact on the world in which they lived.

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