Obituaries
Walton Kirk
12/12/2012
Walton "Walt" Kirk Jr., went to his eternal rest on December 12, 2012. He was being cared for at Mercy Medical Center, Dubuque. Walt courageously battled Parkinsons Disease.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 15, 2012 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, with Pastor Thomas Young officiating. Friends may call from 9:30 10:15 a.m., Saturday at the Church. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery, with military honors accorded by the American Legion Post # 6 of Dubuque.
Walt was born on September 3, 1924, in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, the son of Walton and Gertrude Kirk. He graduated from Mt. Vernon, Illinois Township High School in 1942. He received his BA from the University of Illinois in 1947 and his MA from Loras College in 1972.
Walt married Alyce "Joan" (Hitter) of Ottawa, IL on September 11, 1949.
Walt was a standout basketball player at Mt. Vernon, Illinois High School, earning 1st Team All State Honors in 1942. He played for the University of Illinois Basketball Team from 1942-1947, earning 1st Team All Big 10 Honors, Team Captain & "Consensus" All American in 1945. As a sophomore he played as 6th man with the famed Whiz Kids of Illinois, who won back to back Big 10 Championships. Walt went on to play 5 years in the NBA for the Pistons, Blackhawks (coach Red Auerbach), Anderson Packers, Indianapolis Jets, and the Hawks.
Walt was a Veteran of WWII, having served in the U.S. Army.
Walt left the NBA to begin his career as a high school basketball coach, teacher, mentor and assistant principal at Harvard Illinois High School (1952), Salem Illinois High School (1952-1960), Dubuque Senior High School (1960-1969) and Hempstead High School (1969- 1986).
Walt was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dubuque.
In retirement Walt enjoyed walking, meeting for coffee with friends, golf, music, and sporting events. Walt dedicated his life to family, friends and the positive development of young people, his passion and purpose.
Surviving are his daughter, Debbi (Bruce) Herreilers of Franklin, Massachusetts, his son, Doug Kirk of Dana Point, California and family friend, Jeanne Beeghley of Dubuque.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 49 years, Alyce "Joan" Kirk and his parents, Walton Sr. and Gertrude (Mt. Vernon, IL).
A Walk Kirk memorial fund has been established with funds going to Parkinson's Disease Research, Westminster Church and Stonehill Care Center.
Online condolences may be left for the family at the funeral homes website in Dubuque, IA : www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com
The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Pastor Tom Young, Drs. Mozena and Moran, Mercy Medical Center and the staff at Stonehill Care Center.
Memorial Messages
Message from: Dennis Dix
E-mail Address: dixdennisk@gmail.com
Walt was a very respectable, caring man. I always enjoyed my time with him. Whether it was out watching golf at the John Deere Classic, or spending time with him at holiday gatherings; his conversation, stories, and humor will always be remembered.
May God bless your family during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Dennis
Message from: Chuck Juergens
I had the privilege to work with Walt for many years and always had the greatest respect and admiration for him. He was a class act in all respect: his coaching skills, teaching methods; and for treating each person as complete and unique individual regardless of the circumstances. Everyone was equal in Walts eyes and mind. Walt had the skills to allow everyone to feel and be special. There are very few Walt Kirks in this world and I am proud to have know him and to called him my friend
Message from: Harry M. Robbins
E-mail Address: robb1970@isd194.org
I have so many fond memories of my professional relationship with Walt Kirk during my many wonderful years of working with him @ Hempstead High School. We crossed paths for 12 years in the Hempstead halls. I consider him a mentor, a professional colleague and a true friend. I often sought out his opinions regarding teaching effectiveness, classroom management & of course the X's & O's on the basketball court. He often jokeingly referred to me as the U-boat commander of a rather liberal Social Studies department. In 1988, I replaced Babe Derouin as the Assistant Principal in charge of Activities/Athletics @ Hempstead. Again I sought out his philosophy regarding teacher evaluations because he had evaluated me twice during those 12 years. He was so thorough & professional during this process that I wanted to seek out his opinions regarding this phase of my new job. I went to his home & listened to his philosophy and took notes regarding this part of his responsibilities @ Hempstead. He taught me that every student needs a SIGNIFICANT OTHER @ school and I needed to serve in that capacity if no one else did. Most of all, I loved to listen to his basketball war stories regarding his days @ Illinois, the NBA & of course during his coaching days @ Dubuque Senior High when the Rams played in the really tough OLD MISSISSIPPI VALLEY CONFERENCE that included the QUAD City High Schools. I will always cherish my many experiences with this true ICON in the teaching/coaching profession. I will certainly be thinking of his family during these difficult times.
Message from: Ruth McGrath
I had the privilege and pleasure of knowing Walt when we lived in Dubuque and our girls attended Hempstead High School. He showed compasion and insight to me especially whenever there was a problem with our children.
Keep your Father's memory alive in your hearts and words. This would be the best tribute you could make to him.
God bless you all,
Sincerely,
Ruth
Message from:
Walt was a wonderful friend to Rhys over the years. we both treasured his friendship.
May he rest in peace. Condolences to Doug and Debbie.
Ruth Hutchison
Message from: Ruth hutchison
Walt was a wonderful friend to Rhys over the years. we both treasured his friendship.
May he rest in peace. Condolences to Doug and Debbie.
Ruth Hutchison
Message from: Marilyn Tromer
Debbie and Bruce. I never had the priviledge to meet Walt but he was quite an accomplished man. He fought a long battle. I hope he is at peace now. My thoughts go out to both of you. Marilyn
Message from: Paula (Beeghley) Dix
E-mail Address: dixpaulaa@gmail.com
Our deepest sympathies go to Walt's children and to my mother, Jeanne Beeghley. Walt was my high school principal, close family friend, and later, a very special person in my mother's life. He was like a father to me after my father died, and like a grandfather to my 2 children. I am grateful for the time I got to spend with him. I will always remember him for the wonderful man that he is.
Love,
Paula, Jordan, and Courtney Dix
Message from: John Koutre
I'm proud to have been a member of Coach Kirk's early 1960's homeroom, which was housed in the unlikely location of the Dubuque Senior High School Museum. We were located in a rather shabby, little known area of the school's attic.
At first, most of Mr. Kirk's homeroom students felt discriminated against....pushed off to this dusty, odd expanse that was far away from all the other rooms and the kids floors below us. Slowly, but most certainly, Mr. Kirk worked his team-building magic on us. He got us to see that, in reality, we were fortunate to be among the elite group of students "chosen" to be in the Museum with him. Indeed, he helped us see that we were a unique group of individuals...and lucky ones at that....because we were able to have fun with our homeroom "teammates" daily, in a special setting: one that hundreds of other Senior High classmates had never experienced, and most likely didn't even know existed. Heck, by the time Coach Kirk was done with us, we would run up that long, extra flight of stairs to the attic each morning...egger to be with our Museum homeroom friends and our very special leader: Mr. Kirk.
Now here I am, nearly 50 years later, recalling this wonderful memory of the impression Walt Kirk made on me as a kid. Yes, he was quite a human being....a person who undoubtedly touched the lives of thousands of young people in a positive way. I'm fortunate to have been one of them. Thank you, Coach Kirk. John Koutre, Plover, Wisconsin. DSHS class of 1963
Message from: Rick LaPage
E-mail Address: regapal@hotmail.com
I am very sorry to hear that Walt has passed on. You have my deepest sympathies.
He was my assistant principal at Hempstead High School from 1973 to 1977 when I graduated. He was also my brother Randy's AP. He provided me with sound advice and guidance. I always admired him for trying to help my brother get through some very difficult teenage years. He tried to convince him to stay in school. Unfortuantely his advice fell on deaf ears. I think in the process they became friends. Randy passed on on 01/01/02 from a rare illness.
Thanks again to Walt.
Sincerely,
Rick LaPage
Message from: Lois E. (Murphy) Dawson
E-mail Address: janitor52632@yahoo.com
I remember Walt for being a caring and compassionate person when I attended Dubuque Senior High in the 60's. He was liked by everyone. My sincere condolences to the family. Walt will be missed by many.
Lois E. Dawson
Message from: Tom Rusk
Walt Kirk was a great friend and coach to me. He was a real people person and genuinely interested in his former students and players. More than just a legendary player and coach,his bright personality made him a Dubuque institution. His Southern Illinois roots and story telling entertained us all. Those of us who had the priviledge of knowing him will always carry his memory. He will be truly missed. Tom Rusk
Message from: C David Kirk
The 1941-42 Rams basketball team, coached by Doxie Moore, finished with a record of 29-5 and was a sectional runner-up. The Rams that season were led by current MVTHS Sports Hall of Fame member Walt "Junior" Kirk, who scored 404 points. Calvin Kirk added 271 points for Mt. Vernon that season. Walt and Calvin were 2nd cousins.
My uncle Calvin relived the sectional championship for year after year and I know Walt did as well as I discussed it with him while in was a coach in Salem Illinois. Well the Kirks are reunited and I believe they would be pleased to replay that game.
Best to all family members and God bless
David Kirk
Message from: Gary Dolphin
I was very saddened by Coach Kirk's passing. Great human being and a mentor to hundreds of kids through his teaching years.Walt was one of the first people I met upon moving to Dubuque in the early 1970's.He always had a moment for you and was a great family man.I loved his stories about Illinois and the early NBA days. It makes me appreciate the history of basketball and I feel I'm a better prepared broadcaster and hopefully a better person for having known Walt Kirk. I will miss passing that giant of a figure making those long strides down Asbury Road on his famous daily walk ! Rest in peace Coach.
Gary Dolphin
Iowa Hawkeye Radio Network
Message from: Doug Kirk
E-mail Address: doug1kirk@aol.com
I wish to thank you all for the thoughtful and heart felt condolence messages that you left. I know that my father would be humbled by all of the kind words.
God Bless
Doug Kirk
Message from: Randy Birch
E-mail Address: randylbirch@yahoo.com
I will never forget when my Brother, who Graduated from Dubuque Senior in 1969, took me to see Walt Kirk Coach some great basketball players. The 1969 team, with Billy Redmond, Pat Melloy, Jim and John West captivated the entire City of Dubuque with an undefeated season in the MVC. When I could not get to the games, I remember the late great Red Mcaleece enthusiastic calls of those thrilling road games that season. I later discovered in my years at Dubuque Hempstead that Walt was also a Champion off the court. My sympathy to his family.
Message from: Keith Shuman
Walt Kirk has been a family friend for a very long time. I have memories of him from the time which I can first remember life at all. My father (Don) was a college friend to Walt at the University of Illinois and I can remember the Kirk family 50 years ago when we all lived in Salem, IL. Walt Kirk seemed like a giant to me. He had stature, and always made the room light up when he entered. His positive presence was always felt, and he made sure that you felt comfortable and welcome to spend time with him. I looked at Walt as a person of good character and positive attitude. He has been a man with personal qualities to emulate. I always enjoyed his storytelling and his humor.
I admired his competitive nature; his desire to win. He seemed to enjoy the struggle and discipline required to succeed, and he did a lot of that. His son Doug and I are about the same age and we use to play together as childhood friends. We would challenge each other’s sporting skills. Doug also has the same qualities as his father and will carry on in the Kirk tradition with humility and with the life values obtained from his upbringing in the Midwest. My best goes out to Debbi as well.
I will miss Walt Kirk. The Shuman family will miss Walt Kirk. The picture of Walt contained in this obituary characterizes him well. It is the way I remember him in retirement. I can only look at that picture and smile in return. Thank you Walt, for all you have been and all you have done.
God Bless,
Keith Shuman
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