Greece: Passed away peacefully at home on July 24, 2022. Dick is predeceased by his parents, Richard & Theresa Kirkingburg; uncle Ted Dulemba. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Patricia Kirkingburg; step-mother, Lori Kirkingburg; sister, Terri (Chris) Smith; special brothers-in-law, Joseph (Jana) Clark & Mike (Poki) Clark and their families; dear friends and extended family. Dick was an Army Veteran and retiree of Delco Products.

His funeral service will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite hospice charity.


A Reflection by Pat Kirkingburg

I met Dick at work. I was 19 he was 27 - so much older! We were on again-off again for about 4 years and then got married on April 22, 1978. It was a lively wedding, a romantic honeymoon in the Poconos, and the beginning of a great life together.

He was a proud Army veteran. He served as an Engine Equipment Repair Mechanic, which was a good lead into his setup/repair position when he returned to his job at Delco Products. Life and times at Delco were long hours, dirty work, and sweltering summers, but it also meant lots of friends that made for good times both at and after work.

He played baseball as a kid, which led to adult leagues where he played almost til he made it to the old-timer's league. But a broken wrist one summer convinced him to hang up the bat and glove and just go golfing a bit more. Golfing was a passion. Leagues, tournaments, and vacations were built around the beautiful courses in Myrtle Beach, Tennessee, and even the Caribbean. Dick bowled, too. Leagues and tournaments, even. At the Peterson Classic, he was able to place "in the money" more than once.

Our early years together were spent with plenty of friends enjoying dinners out, some dancing, and concerts. There was one place in Buffalo we really liked, and then often stayed at a hotel with an indoor pool and tiki bar. Since we often stayed there in the winter, it was like being at the beach while it snowed outside.

Vacations were usually road trips. Dick loved to drive, and sometimes the time getting to the destination was more fun than the destination, itself. We covered most areas from New York to the Carolinas, across to Texas and New Mexico, up to Colorado, and across the northern states as we returned home.

Life settled into a comfortable routine of work and home with dogs and kitties sharing our life. He loved all the doggies we had throughout the years - big, happy, goofy Goldens. And there was almost always a kitty in the mix to keep things interesting.

He loved finally buying a brand-new house and getting to finish off the basement by building a bar and separate work/storage areas with my father helping him. My Dad loved building things with Dick. My father taught, and Dick learned, and they both laughed a lot. My father was always sending him up a ladder to do something, when finally, Dick asked why he was always the one going up the ladder. The answer he got was that "his ass was closer to the ground if he fell". Yup, lots of short jokes.

He talked to my Mom a lot, too. Well, probably listened mostly, but she loved that about him. It was never deep, worldly talk, just the chatter of everyday life.

My brothers loved him for treating me well and being such a good buddy to my Dad.

He loved his sister's husband for treating her well and always respecting her.

He loved the "Denver Kids" - all my brother's kids. Distance got in the way of closer relationships, but they were always thought of and loved. Our visits were always loud and chaotic, but fun.

Then there were his "adopted" kids. The not-really-blood relatives that we vacationed with as the family grew. It was a very special bond he shared with all the "Jack Kids".

And as life slowed down, it was the close relationships with Grace & Don and Bill & Joann that endured. Don made him laugh with his storytelling, Bill just made him laugh even if he was having a bad day.

Then one day he discovered scratch-off lottery tickets (scratchers)! His daily routine was to go after a bunch of scratchers and browse the aisles of whatever store he went into to find something good for lunch.

Friends, family, everyone loved the twinkle in his eye when he made a quick joke. His sense of humor, always there, even on the bad days.