Glen Kirk

Glen Ernest Kirk died peacefully after a day of being surrounded by close family, on July 28, 2022, in Belleville, KS, due to complications of a stroke. Glen was 86 years old.

Glen Ernest Kirk, the eldest child of Ernest and Kathryn (Thompson) Kirk was born on a farm on the northeast side of Scandia, KS June 14, 1936. He was one of two children, his brother is Alan D. Kirk of Scandia, KS.

On August 26, 1956, Glen was united in marriage to Loretta Helen Freed. To this union four children were born, Lynn Dale, Kim Sue, Lisa Jean, and Brett Scott (deceased). After marriage, they resided in Manhattan, KS while Glen finished college at KSU. They then moved to McCook, Nebraska, where Glen worked for the Federal Bureau of Reclamation for 11 years. During his years in McCook, he was also an architect drawing up plans for many homes and other structures. Glen and his family spent a year in Seattle, Washington in 1968-69 where Glen attended the University of Washington Seattle, School of Public Affairs. Then it was back to McCook until 1973, when they moved to Topeka, KS where he continued to work for the Federal Bureau of Reclamation. Glen’s first wife, Loretta, passed away in 1976 after a bout with cancer. Glen remarried in 1977 to Sharon Elaine (Freed) McCollum. They resided in Topeka, KS until 2005. In 2005, Glen and Sharon moved back “home” to Scandia, KS.

Glen was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Kathryn Kirk, his first wife, Loretta H. Kirk, May 12, 1976, and his son, Brett S. Kirk July 3, 2017.

Glen is survived by his second wife, Sharon E. Kirk - Scandia, one son, Lynn D. Kirk –

Topeka, KS, Two daughters, Kim S. Kirk – Scandia, KS, Lisa J. Powers (Chris) – Meriden, KS, and a stepson, Shannon D. McCollum (Laurie) – Topeka, KS, his younger brother Alan D. Kirk (Erna Reye) – Scandia, KS, Six grandchildren, Kyle A. Powers (Mallory) – Manhattan, KS, Brady K. Billings (Rachel) – Topeka, KS, Kysa M. Farrant (Jake) – Meriden, KS, Scott R. Kirk – Manhattan, KS, Shawna R. Kirk – Manhattan, KS, and Shane A. McCollum – Topeka, KS. and five great grandchildren, Millie, Maxton & Beau Farrant, and Kasold & Huxley Powers.

Glen received his education in the Scandia schools, graduating with the class of 1953. By chance, Glen ended up going to Fairbury Junior college and from there went to Kansas State University where he received a degree in Civil Engineering in 1959. In 1967 Glen became a member of the Professional Engineers and Architects of Nebraska a member state of National Society of Professional Engineers.

Glen and family spent the 1968-69 school year in Bothell, Washington after being selected in a nationwide competition to become a Fellow for National Institute of Public Affairs. Thus, Glen completed a year of graduate study at the University of Washington. In 1975 Glen passed the State Board Exam and became a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Kansas. He retired from his federal service in 1984 after 27 years of service. He then went to work for the State of Kansas Water Office for 18 years, retiring in 2002.

Glen was a member of the United Methodist Church in McCook, as well as Scandia, KS. He was a member of the Scandia Lions Club. Glen was active for many years in the promotion of Scouting. His Pinewood derby cars were the cars to beat, although they seldom were. He served as the Chairman of the McCook City Planning Commission from 1970-73. He was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers Irrigation and Drainage Division.

Glen received his Land Surveyor, License in 1988. In 2001 Glen received a diploma from the American Society of Civil Engineers for achieving the status of Life Member. Also, in 2001 he received the Kansas City District Heartland Award in recognition for his 18 years of partnering with the state of Kansas, the Corp of engineers, and the nation to formulate and implement projects and policies for water resources development in Kansas.

Glen was a busy man, and his interests were many. As such he was an excellent conversationalist. He was very intelligent, logical, and practical and could talk about anything. Glen always had a smile on his face, a few words of wisdom and great advice. He was a lifelong learner and was always interested in what others were up to. If you had a project, he wanted to know what it was and a bit about it.

Farming was in his blood; his parents and grandparents were farmers and he married two different farm girls. Most days found Glen wearing a pair of overalls. He had a green thumb, and a knack for gardening inside and out. He loved trying new things. In his earlier years Glen loved to sail and he owned a small sailboat. Camping was also a favorite activity. Tent camping in his younger days and then upgrading to a camping trailer, which he hauled across the country. Traveling was high on his list. Glen loved to travel the blue highways and traveled to all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Ireland, and Italy. Half the fun of his trips was in the planning and mapping out of the routes and the stops to be made along the way. He loved spending time with his family, and they were often included in his many excursions across the country. When his own children became too old for the trips, the grandchildren got in on the action. As an avid reader, he would snuggle up and read with the kids, grandkids and even the great grandchildren. He instilled the love of reading in all of us. Glen enjoyed working with wood and usually had a project going around the house.

As Mae West said, “You only Live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” Glen did it right. He will be dearly missed by many relatives and friends.

Visitation will be Friday, August 12, 2022, from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm, with family greeting friends from 5pm – 7pm, at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home in Belleville, Kansas.

Memorial Services will be Saturday, August 13, at 3:00 pm, at the United Methodist Church in Scandia, Kansas. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, Scandia.

Memorials are requested to the United Methodist Church of Scandia, to assist Pike Valley students with their school supply expenses, and may be sent in care of Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, PO Box 566, Belleville, Kansas, 66935.

Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home is assisting the Kirk family with these arrangements, www.tibbettsfischerfuneralhome.com