Carlyle S. "Kirk" Herrick

Herrick, Carlyle S. "Kirk" ALPLAUS, N.Y. Carlyle S. "Kirk" Herrick, 88, of Bath St., passed away peacefully at his home November 16, 2008. Born in Sayre, Pa. on October 19, 1920, he was the son of Everett and Frances Waring Herrick. A graduate of Sayre High School, Sayre, Pa., in 1938 he went to Penn State University, receiving a B.S. in chemical engineering in 1942, and an M.S. in chemical engineering in 1943. As a dean's list student, he received the Varsity Ice Hockey Athletic Award and was the college amateur Radio Station Pie Eating Champion. Kirk was a 2nd lieutenant in the US Army from 1944-46. He married the former Barbara Grimison in 1944. He was a scientist by vocation, working at G.E. Research and Development Center in Niskayuna from 1946-1986. Mr. Herrick received numerous achievement awards including Management Award for Achievement Beyond Expectations, the Outstanding Contributor Award, IR-100 Award and Vaaler Award. He was author or substantial contributor to 35 US Patents; author or contributor to 85 publications relating to solar energy, refrigeration, large screen video projection, electronic dimming circuitry, and other engineering topics. Kirk was a member of the Alplaus Volunteer Fire Company and was elected to the offices of president, vice president, financial secretary, recording secretary and corresponding secretary. He received Life Membership Award, 50-year Service Award and Historian's Award. He was a member of the Alplaus Residents Association, both its founding member and former vice president, co-initiated Alplaus Bicentennial Program, and 32-time participant in Alplaus July 4th parade. Mr. Herrick was involved with the Boy Scouts of America as its former assistant scout master, troop committee member, merit badge counselor and representative of the sponsor. He was former chairman of the Fire District #2 Board of Fire Commissioners, School District #15 School Board, as former chairman, arranged the formation of the Niskayuna Central School District. He was a Republican committeeman, former chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals and Environmental Conservation Commission member. Mr. Herrick was a member of Alplaus United Methodist Church since 1949 and with the choir since 1948; a special occasion worship leader, he was former chairman church council, board of trustees, finance committer and parish committee. Mr. Herrick was also a member of the Troy Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, the In Ministry Together Program Visitation Team, Board of Discipleship, Stewardship of Creation Workshop Leader. He was member of board of church and society, former chairman, UMW School of Missions- Summer Learning Fellowship former worship leader, a member of Critical Issue Ministry Team on Theological Diversity and an Author of a Theological Diversity action plan for the Troy Conference. Mr. Herrick has authored 36 Essays Centered on the Bible, The Creation, The Environment, and Theological Diversity. These Essays may be found of his personal website under Carlyle Sheldon "Kirk" Herrick. Survivors include his wife, Mary G. Herrick; daughter, Katharine H. and husband L. Berkley Davis of Niskayuna, N.Y.; sons, William H. and wife Kathleen Herrick of Indian Lake, N.Y., Robert C. Herrick of San Antonio, Texas; brother, Robert W. Herrick of Annandale, Va.; sister, Hildegard deValois of Oakland, Calif.; grandchildren, Debora and Michael Amaden and Karen Campbell of Indian Lake, N.Y.; seven great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Thursday 11:30 a.m. at Alplaus United Methodist Church, Brookside at Riverside Place in Alplaus with Rev. Carl Sheppard officiating. A luncheon/ reception will follow in Fellowship Hall at the church and a procession to the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery where committal services will commence at 2:30 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to Alplaus U.M. Church in Kirk's name. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Glenville Funeral Home of Scotia-Glenville. glenvillefuneralhome.com