Richard "Kirt" Kirtland

Richard “Kirt” Kirtland, 82 of Staunton passed away on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 in Staunton.

He was born in Canandaigua, NY on July 14, 1935 to the late Preston and Ruth Kirtland.

In 1957 he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Husbandry from Cornell University. In 1958 entered the Army and was sent to Germany where he met and married his wife, Heidi. They moved to the United States in 1960, eventually settling in Bethlehem, PA and raised their three children then moving to Virginia in 1989.

Kirt was a member of Lions Club and volunteer for Meals Wheels in PA and VA and of the Jaycees in FL as well as the Staunton Choral Society. He was extremely proud of his sponsorship of a young men’s softball team in PA and his service as Vice President, Station Manager, and Chief Track Bender of the Gypsy Express Railroad.

Kirt enjoyed candle making, wood working and making wooden toys for his grandchildren, whistling while he worked. He was always willing to help others. He enjoyed music.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his siblings, Wilbur, Lloyd, Dorothy and Ruth.

He is survived by his wife Heidi Kirtland; children, Margo “Dagmar” Franssen and her husband, John of Richmond, VA; Ralph Kirtland and his wife, Deb of Staunton, VA and Peter Kirtland and his wife, Sandy of Gulfport, FL; grandchildren, Keri Treadway and her husband, Jeremy, Traci Franssen, Brigitte Via, Elizabeth Nygaard, Richard Preston “R.P.” Kirtland II, Spencer Kirtland, Amelia Kirtland and a great grandson, Jackson “Jax” Treadway.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at 3:00pm at the Chapel of Charlton and Groome Funeral Home, 619 Lifecore Drive, Fishersville, VA 22939.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels, 300 W. Frederick Street, Staunton, VA 24401. www.mowstaunton.org/donate.html.

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