NAPPANEE − The death of 25-year-old Kyler Klein from cancer in June has spurred his co-workers at Universal Forest Products to host a strongman competition on Sept. 24. 

The key organizer, Josh Bieck, who works as a production supervisor, says the event “is for all people to get out of their comfort zones and to try something new and different and to help get people off of the couch.”  

Bieck says of Klein: “Through his faith, great morals, untouched work ethic, his strength and courage, he was a symbol of the working class. Even through his battle with different treatments and chemo, if he was physically able to drag himself into work, he would. And there were days he could barely make it up the stairs and he had to fight to make it into the upstairs office, but he was a fighter and wanted to continue work. … I wanted his fight and his strength to live on.” 

Starting at 8 a.m. in the Eastlake24 Fitness parking lot at 1530 E Market St., there will be a vehicle pull, a weighted sled pull, a tractor tire flip, an exercise called a farmers carry and a log flip, with both mens’ and womens’ divisions.  

The entry fee is $25 per person in advance or $50 cash on the day of the event. It includes a T-shirt if you register by Sept. 12. Find registration forms under the “files” tab at the Facebook page of the Kyler Klein Strongman Competition. 

All proceeds will go to Klein’s family to help with medical bills and funeral costs. Bieck says he hopes to make this an annual event, to possibly start a scholarship for Northwood High School students in Klein’s name.