Howard Kirk
February 9, 1930 — October 28, 2017
Howard Eliason Kirk, 87, of Frederick, passed from this life on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at Vindobona Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Braddock Heights near Frederick, Maryland. He was born on February 9, 1930 in Wilmington, Delaware to Samuel D. and Dorothy Eliason Kirk. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Gail Foster Kirk; sisters Joanne (David) Story and Susan (Raynor) Johnson; daughters Margaret Osborne and Christina (Mark) Pikas; grandchildren Caitlin Penix, and Sophia and Andrew Pikas; one great-grandchild Juliette Penix; and a number of nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
After graduating high school in Newark, Delaware, Mr. Kirk attended Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington, Delaware for accounting. He then joined the US Navy as an aviation electronics technician in one of the first strike aircraft squadrons modified to carry nuclear weapons. He was stationed in Alameda, California as well as in Port Lyautey, Morocco, and served during the Korean War. While in the Navy he took many opportunities to learn including completing a certificate program at UCLA. He enjoyed cross-country trips with his aunt, who was also in the Navy.
After leaving the Navy, Mr. Kirk worked for Thiokol (Orbital ATK) in Elkton, Maryland for more than 30 years as an instrumentation engineer supporting the race to space.
Mr. Kirk was a Master Mason 32nd degree of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and member of Hiram Lodge No. 25 in Newark, Delaware.
Mr. Kirk had a love for sports car rally racing in his Austin Healey. He was a licensed amateur radio operator, with call sign 'N3KNI’. He enjoyed connecting with other HAMs across the globe. He also loved woodworking, gardening, photography, and hiking and camping with his family across the North East.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 pm on Friday, November 3rd at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702, with services beginning at 2pm.
Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens, 9501 Catoctin Mountain Hwy, Frederick, MD 21701.
Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at www.staufferfuneralhome.com.