Kirk joined our junior class during mid-year having moved to Lakeland from Michigan. Where and when I first met Kirk I no longer recall, but we did share a common interest in motorcycles. Motorcycles would remain one of Kirk’s passions throughout his short life.
Kirk didn’t graduate with us having returned with his family to Michigan before May 1963. After high school graduation in Michigan he eventually joined the Navy and settled in California.
Kirk did return to Lakeland in March 1964 and together we enjoyed our first Bike Week and the Daytona 200 motorcycle race in Daytona Beach. Kirk continued to ride, race and even sell motorcycles in CA and eventually became an insurance agent and sold motorcycle insurance to owners of antique motorcycles.
As a lifelong non-smoker we were all saddened when Kirk was diagnosed with lung cancer and died shortly before his 60th birthday. He left behind a wife, a young daughter, brothers, sisters and many lifelong friends in Lakeland. Each year during Bike Week we raise a salute to Kirk's memory. Ride safe my friend...
Chuck Bent
Kirk joined our junior class during mid-year having moved to Lakeland from Michigan. Where and when I first met Kirk I no longer recall, but we did share a common interest in motorcycles. Motorcycles would remain one of Kirk’s passions throughout his short life.
Kirk didn’t graduate with us having returned with his family to Michigan before May 1963. After high school graduation in Michigan he eventually joined the Navy and settled in California.
Kirk did return to Lakeland in March 1964 and together we enjoyed our first Bike Week and the Daytona 200 motorcycle race in Daytona Beach. Kirk continued to ride, race and even sell motorcycles in CA and eventually became an insurance agent and sold motorcycle insurance to owners of antique motorcycles.
As a lifelong non-smoker we were all saddened when Kirk was diagnosed with lung cancer and died shortly before his 60th birthday. He left behind a wife, a young daughter, brothers, sisters and many lifelong friends in Lakeland. Each year during Bike Week we raise a salute to Kirk's memory. Ride safe my friend...