ROBERT KIRK

1929 - 2017

KIRK ROBERT L. KIRK A retired executive and leader in the aerospace and transportation industries, died December 3, 2017, surrounded by dear friends at his home in Telluride, Colorado. Robert L. Kirk was born in Charleston, WV on January 4, 1929 to William and Lillian Dunnigan Kirk. Bob attended St. Anthony Grade School and Charleston Catholic High School. In 1952, Bob graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. He later received an honorary doctorate from Purdue in 1993. Bob's best friend was fellow Purdue alumnus, Neil Armstrong. Bob commissioned and was the fundraising leader of the Neil Armstrong sculpture on Kirk Plaza at Purdue University. Bob also led fundraising efforts for the Purdue Armstrong School of Engineering building and sponsored the Director Chair of the Birck Nanotechnology Center at Purdue. After graduation Bob served for three years as an officer in the US Navy. Bob's civilian career in military, space and civilian aviation began in 1955 with North American Aviation (now Rockwell International) and continued with his service as an executive, director, CEO, or chairman of many corporations including Allied-Signal (now Honeywell), CSX Transportation, Inc. and British Aerospace (now BAE Systems). Bob served on the boards of numerous charitable organizations, including the National Gallery of Art. He also served on the Defense Industry Advisory Council Commission on Military Experts and was a charter member of the NATO Industrial Advisory Group. Bob was recognized by President Ronald Reagan for his work organizing the Executive Coalition for the National Initiative on Technology and Disabilities and was the fourth recipient of the HHS Dignified Public Service Award. Bob was a loyal and proud member of Conquistadores del Cielo (Conquerors of the Sky) and served as El Presidente in 1996-97. Most recently, Bob was a resident of Telluride and Washington, DC. He was an accomplished photographer with a keen and patient eye for capturing that special moment in time. He had a strong love for Telluride and the desert southwest where he was able to explore his love of photography. Bob Kirk is survived by three children and five grandchildren, Harris Kirk, Waltham, MA and daughter, Samantha; Colleen Kirk (Manfred Roeschel), Croton-on-Hudson, NY and sons, Patrick and Brendan; and Karen Kirk (Anamitra Bhattacharyya), Evanston, IL and children, Kobi and Maia. Bob is also survived by his brother, Thomas, and many nieces and nephews, including his caregiver, Margaret Reagan. His sister, Helen Grace Kirk Reagan, and brothers, William and Frank, predeceased him. His first marriage to Elise Kirk ended in divorce and his second wife, Mary Jo Kirk, predeceased him. Catholic services will be held December 19, 2017 at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick's Church, Telluride, Colorado with Deacon Doehrman officiating. Burial will be at historic Lone Tree Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Neil Armstrong Statue Fund at Purdue University.Memorials may be directed to the Neil Armstrong Statue Fund at Purdue University.