Lt. Col. Richard L. (Dick) Kirk

Obituary Lt. Col. Richard (Dick) L. Kirk (Ret.) Born to Edna Laurens and George S. Kirk on July 12, 1923 in Seattle, Dick passed away February 10, 2016 at home. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1940. This was followed by 2 ½ years at the University of Washington where he always said, "I studied radio broadcasting, rowed on the crew team and learned enough Japanese to say "I surrender", because WWII had started. He was drafted into the Army in Jan. 1943 and went to Africa & Sicily. He guarded German POW's on a ship back to the US. He was preparing to go to Normandy, when fate intervened. Dick was sent to the Defense Language Institute at the University of Michigan for an intensive two-year Japanese language course. He graduated from the language school in Oct 1945. After a 3-year stint in Korea, he returned to UW to finish college. Dick then decided to pursue a career in the Army. In 1950, he returned to Korea as a Forward Observer for what became known as the Chosin Reservoir Battle. This was a brutal campaign, where 15,000 Americans fought with only 3,000 surviving. After Korea, he served in Europe in both intelligence and artillery before returning to teach ROTC at UW. The end of his military career found him between Hawaii and Saigon during the Vietnam War. Dick retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. His awards included a Silver Star and a Purple Heart. Returning to civilian life, he became a Foreign Trade Specialist for the Washington State Dept. of Commerce. Following this, he served as president of the Washington State Int'l Trade Fair. He ended his career as Parks and Fair Director for Kitsap County. In retirement, he was active in the Chosin Few (survivors of the Korean battle). He served on the board of the WAC, was a member of the WA State Governor's Veterans Advisory Committee, was a member of Nat'l Assoc. of Exposition Managers and Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, as well as the Assoc. of Former Intelligence Officers. In retirement, Dick could often be found entertaining at a piano bar in Tacoma, Mazatlan or Capitola, CA, or wherever a piano could be found. He rejoiced in his family, especially in his grandchildren, Adam, Hillary, David, Lindsay, Cheyenne, Drew, Sarah, Michael, Ryan, Evan, Mallory, Renee, Rochelle, Seth, Josh, Chase, Ashley, Kaylie and Logan. As well as his 16 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister, June L. Henke. Dick is survived by his wife of 38 years, Juliann (Julie) Rothrock Kirk; his children, Christopher Kirk (Kathleen), Lisa Kirk (Ron); step-children, Carlee Harder-Brown (Rich), Shannon Harder Ronald (Dave), Mark Harder (Margaret), Chris Harder (Kelly), Amy Blackburn (Derek), and Maggie Erickson; nieces, Susan Henke (Derich) and Janice Henke; and nephew, Robert Henke (Suzanne). Donations in Dick's name may be made to L'Arche Tahoma Hope, 12303 36th Ave E. Tacoma, 98446 or Nativity House 1323 Yakima Ave Tacoma, 98405. A Celebration of Dick's life will be held on Friday, March 4, 2016 at 10:00am at St. Leo Catholic Church, Tacoma. Interment at Tahoma National Cemetery. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.