Richard Birk

Richard J. "Dick" Birk, 85, of Erie, passed away on Friday, March 8, 2024, at St Vincent Hospital surrounded by his family. He was born in Erie on July 17, 1938, a son of the late, Joseph and Sophia (Schaaf) Birk.
After graduating from Tech Memorial in 1955, he served in the US Air Force as a Nuclear Weapons Mechanical Specialist and was awarded the US Air Force Longevity Service Award. Dick was a Senior Designer at Eriez Magnetics and retired in 2000 after working 35 years at Eriez.
In his spare time, he enjoyed coaching swimming at Sacred Heart School and volunteering at the Erie City Mission. He cherished the time spent with family and his grandchildren's sporting events. He also enjoyed fishing, golfing, and yard work where he was awarded "best of the neighborhood" for his yard on West 6th and Connecticut. A family favorite pastime was the annual Easter Egg hunt in that manicured backyard. He also enjoyed playing Euchre with his friends, Jeri, MaryEllen and Bill at Mercy Terrace Apartments.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother in laws, John G Hatheway, Clarence and Thomas Colvin, and Ronald Healey.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Kathleen "Toby" (Colvin) Birk, five daughters, Julianne Gresh (Tom), Jeanne Burns (Andy), Kathleen Leone, Michelle Nunn, and JoAnn Brown, ten grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren, sister, Kathleen Healey, and brother, William Birk (Gloria). Many nieces and nephews also survive.
A private burial will be held at Calvary Cemetery. The Kloecker Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. is overseeing the arrangements. Send condolences to www.kloeckerfuneralhome.com.
Donations may be made to Erie City Mission 1017 French St. Erie, PA 16501, or the charity of one's choice.