Michael Kirkpatrick

Michael Charles Kirkpatrick passed away peacefully on July 14, 2023. He was 74 years old. Michael is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Ann; brother, Timothy Kirkpatrick (Betsy); sister Donna Rees and nieces, Meghan Kirkpatrick, Caitlin Kirkpatrick, Laurie McColloh and Kathy Rees.
Michael attended Millersville College and from there enlisted in the US Army where he started his career in flying helicopters! This was the beginning of a life long love of flying. With the Army from 1974-1980 he flew in Germany, Ft Rucker, Alabama, Ft Campbell, KY. His awards were National Defense Service Medal: Good Conduct Medal: Army Aviators Badge: and Army Commendation Medal. He learned how to sky dive and in formation during his time there and had over 600 dives to his name! He loved that!
In 1980 he entered the Delaware Army National Guard flying helicopters where he remained until 2008 when he retired with Honors. Mike formed a bond with his flying buddies during those years which has remained strong throughout the years. They now gather for reunions and too often for funerals!
Mike had a sense of adventure and enjoyed other sports such as rock climbing, skiing, scuba diving, llama packing, backpacking, and wind surfing. He met his wife Ann in 1984 and married her April 29th, 1989. They enjoyed all of those sports together except rock climbing. They were married 34 years until his passing. They loved each other very much.
From 1978 on he flew civilian helicopters also, beginning at Ronson. Later he flew for the casinos in Atlantic City on the route to New York. Then for Executive Jet out of Weehawken and Long Island, NY all up and down the region. When this company closed, flying jobs dried up so, Mike with a spare moment, went and got a nursing degree from Montgomery Community College and worked for a year as an ICU nurse until one day someone called him and said, "We need a medevac pilot" and Mike said, "when do I start?" He flew medevac for various companies until 2003 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.
He lived 20 years with it and his wife Ann helped him enjoy life to the fullest, especially the last 15 years when he needed a lot of help getting around and with basic tasks. But they enjoyed plays, Philadelphia Orchestra, folk concerts, walks in the parks, day trips to the Asbury Park, singing tenor together in the George School Community Chorus, sunset walks most nights and hosting social gatherings at their lovely house on a wooded lot in Bryn Gweled Homesteads! Mike enjoyed the caring people of that community.
Mike never complained. He accepted what life brought to him and embraced it as a learning experience.
Relatives and friends are invited to Michael's memorial burial on Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 11:00AM at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Road, Newtown, PA 18940. Please arrive at the cemetery by 10:45AM.
There will be a buffet luncheon and sharing of memories of Michael to follow at the Community Center of Bryn Gweled Homesteads at 1805 Meadow Rd, Southampton Pa 18966 (about 20-25 minutes from the burial site)
To share your fondest memories of Michael and to express your condolences to the Kirkpatrick family, please visit www.LifeCelebration.com.