Stephen Earl Kirk

Stephen E. Kirk, 56, died from a severe illness on May 2, 2025. He was born in Wichita, KS on November 6, 1968. He graduated from Wichita Collegiate School and received degrees from Walden University (MS, 2020), Friends University (MS, 2005), and the University of Pennsylvania with one term in Heidelberg, German (MSE, 1993: BS, 1991; BA 1991). Subsequently, he worked to complete a Doctor of Philosophy in Management online at Walden University. He was especially interested in business and wanted to specialize in information science. In the summer of 1992, Merck hired him to design a computerized questionnaire tool for their Manufacturing Division. He also worked with a Wharton School professor to create a graphic user system for the US Coast Guard in 1993. Additionally, Stephen was invited to teach and lecture at the Wharton School’s Department of Operations of Information Management. Becoming severely ill, however, Stephen needed to heal and transitioned to his doctoral writing phase by developing an online thesis at Walden University and evaluating information retrieval algorithms. He felt that an appropriate Chair who understood the necessary statistical procedures could help him complete the dissertation. Stephen is survived by his parents, Earl David and Barbara J. Kirk; his brothers, David, Kevin (Karyn), and John (Katherine); children, Lillian, Caleb, and Brooks (Alysa); three grandchildren, Kira, Covy, and Cooper. Funeral Service will be at 9:00 am, Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. A memorial has been established with Epilepsy Foundation, 3540 Crain Hwy., Ste. 675, Bowie, MD 20716.