He was born July 8, 1935, in Arkansas City, the son of Henry Lee and Jeanette May (Fenton) Kirk. He graduated from Arkansas High School in 1953. He attended Cowley County Community College and Kansas University before graduating from Emporia State University. He completed his graduate studies at the University of Oklahoma in 1968.

Mr. Kirk was recognized as the outstanding graduate student in the department of history at OU. He began teaching at Baker University in 1968. He retired in 1996 as emeritus professor of history.

He married Dolores Hess and was later divorced. He then married Nancy Wakefield in December 1978. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include two sons, Douglas R., Topeka, and Matthew Wakefield, Seattle; three daughters, Angela Benortham and Jennifer Bagshaw, both of Topeka, and Tracy Tackett, Little Rock, Ark.; and seven grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials to Baker University, P.O. Box 65, Baldwin 66006; or Midland Adult Day Program, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka 66606.

Newcomer Funeral Home, Topeka, is in charge of arrangements.