GREGORY JOHN WIRT

Gregory John Wirt, 60, died August 26, 2010, at his home in Olathe, Kansas, after a long illness. Greg was born September 1, 1949, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Raymond John and Ethel Mae Wirt. He grew up on the family's farm near Hurley, South Dakota. He married Gloria Marie Hansen of Hurley, South Dakota, on October 17, 1970. Greg served in the United States Navy from 1969 to 1975 and was a Machinist Mate First Class on the fast attack submarine the U.S.S. Sunfish from 1971 to 1975. After his discharge from the Navy, Greg worked as a total energy plant operator for Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. In 1982, he received his degree in mechanical engineering from South Dakota State University. The same year, the Wirts moved to Olathe, Kansas. Greg worked for Black & Veatch in Overland Park for several years and then for Burns & McDonnell as an associate mechanical engineer. He retired in May, 2010, after 22 years of employment with Burns & McDonnell. Greg loved riding his Harley Davidson motorcycles and often went riding with his son John. Some of his favorite vacations were the ones that he and his wife, Gloria, took on the motorcycle to places like Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. He also enjoyed riding in the Black Hills and attending the Sturgis Rally in his home state of South Dakota. Greg had an eye for seeing how things could be improved or repaired. Once Greg fixed something, it stayed fixed for good! He liked to share his knowledge of engineering and was a mentor to many young engineers. He is survived by his wife Gloria; his son John; his parents; brother Gary Wirt; brother James Wirt, his wife Kristi and their sons, Jesse and Justin; sister- in-law Elaine Pedersen and her son Steve; brother-in-law DeWayne Hansen and his children Matt, Sarah, and Ashley; sister-in-law Doreen Hansen and her children Mark and Karen Eisenbraun; and brother-in-law Richard Hansen. He is preceded in death by his younger brother Jack. Services are pending. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The South Dakota State University College of Engineering, 815 Medary Avenue, Box 525, Brookings, SD 57007. 888-747-SDSU. www.sdsufoundation.org To leave a special message for the family please visit www.PenwellGabelOlathe.com