Paul A. Kirk, 81, Springfield, passed away Thursday, July 20, 2023, the youngest of five children. He was born August 13, 1941 in Houstebro, Denmark. His mother, a nurse, and father, a physician at the local hospital, secured the family there during the German occupation in World War II. At age 4 years, the family came to New York while waiting for his father to get his job in St. Louis.
In 1946, they were able to settle there where Paul graduated from high school in 1959. He completed college in 1966 from Drury, after spending three years in the Army, based in Seoul South Korea, specializing in dentistry. He was then encouraged to attend law school, graduating from St. Louis University in 1971, followed by his MBA in 1998, retiring in 2006. While participating in a collegiate volleyball game in 1969, he met his best friend, Dyanne and they married in 1970. To this union, four children were born. As a child, he remembered his interests in being a Cub Scout, so he continued as a volunteer in the scouting program for 33 years, achieving multiple awards with his ongoing dedication to the program. Son, Kevin became Life, Andrew and Erik were Eagle Scouts. Paul loved life!
Paul is survived by his wife, Dyanne; children, Kevin (Paige), Stephanie, Andrew (Leigh), and Erik (Stacie); six grandchildren, Dalton, Alison, Alivia, Elin, Adam, and Axel; two sisters, Ermalynn Wuestling and Lillian Arlt; along with nieces, nephews, and a special friend, Heather.
The family wishes to thank with deep gratitude, Season's Hospice and Springfield Rehab for their love and compassion during a difficult time. He passed away with complications from Alzheimer's disease, which lasted 7 years.
Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Friday, July 28, 2023 in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery.
