Cheryl Avery
Clifford Lee Kirk was born October 13, 1937 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He attended Swatara High School where he played football and was known for his suave looks and spiffy dress. He loved chemistry, especially chemical reactions that exploded, testing his methods by blowing up his brother's toy soldiers and setting off charges with his cohort of friends. It was logical then that after high school, he attended Shippensburg College, majoring in chemistry, then graduated from the University of Delaware with a BS in Chemical Engineering.
His degree led him to chemical engineering jobs in Houston, Texas, where he later went into technical sales, a position that offered him the opportunity to travel to Japan. There he picked up Japanese art prints of raptors, one of his fascinations, and also his first 35mm camera, leading to a love of photography.
Cliff relocated to Southern California, where he continued to pursue his passion for photography, attending the Newport School of Photography founded by Al Belson, a friend of Ansel Adams. The school specialized in black & white prints and portrayals of humanity in street scene photography. Cliff went on to photograph cars and drivers at the Long Beach F1 races, artists at rock concerts and landmarks. He captured live street scenes and anything he found interesting on film, always processing his own prints.
He loved classic rock music, a love shared with his daughter from a young age. They experienced many road trips together, singing along to the lyrics with the music blaring. Her interest in ballet led him to an appreciation of dance and he frequently attended San Francisco Ballet performances. He loved listening to symphony orchestral music, especially some of the resounding, emotional selections from Russian composers and could regularly be seen attending San Francisco Symphony Orchestra performances and later Portland Symphony Orchestra performances.
While living in Orange County, Cliff gained a love of Thai food and learned to make Thai dishes with his friend, David, making sure that he had as authentic ingredients as possible. Cliff also took up long distance running and ran frequently with David.
He moved to the East Bay in Northern California. He continued running and could be seen regularly running down Bollinger Canyon Road in San Ramon. He went on to run several marathons from California to London, where he incorporated a tour of the UK with his daughter. He briefly added cycling to his accomplishments, participating in 100 mile bike rides, evidenced by the road rash scars he carried. He went back to running.
Cliff's love and knowledge of wines was nurtured at PRIMA Ristorante in Walnut Creek. He could be seen regularly, having dinner at the bar, sipping Italian varietals and talking wines with the owners and staff that came to know and love him.
In 2001, Cliff met the love of his life at a cooking class, "Dinner for One". Their shared love of food, cooking, wines, travel, art, and music carried them through 23 years rich in love and adventures. Through their love of wines and food, they met many wonderful friends, belonging to the Southbay Winetasters Guild and later the West Coast Wine Club. They frequently hosted wine tastings, dinners and celebrations at their home, cementing lifetime friendships.
His love of cooking carried over to other styles, Braised Lamb Shanks becoming one of his specialties. His pride in accomplishing a tricky cooking technique was exhibited whenever he flipped over a Spanish Tortilla from the pan onto a plate with aplomb, and then flashed a grin of satisfaction as he presented his masterpiece.
After retiring to Portland, Oregon, they explored their new wine areas, finding new friends with the same appreciation of food and wines. They participated in wine tastings and wine judging. They traveled to Europe every year, exploring corners of France, Italy and Spain together.
During the last several years, Cliff addressed many heart issues, determined to not let them slow him down. This man had an iron will. At the same time COVID hit, he was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, a disease that over the next five years slowly robbed him of the ability to do everything he loved. Still, he enjoyed watching nature shows, especially with his beloved raptors, listening to his classic rock and symphony orchestra music, and spending time with family and friends.
Cliff passed away at home on November 9, 2024, only a few weeks after celebrating his 87th birthday. He was surrounded by family who loved him. Cliff will be remembered for his generous spirit, always wanting to share whatever he had, and his need to know that everyone he cared about was safe. His Hollywood smile will be greatly missed.
He's survived by his wife, Cheryl Avery; his daughter Heather Eccarius, her husband Anthony, a granddaughter, Alexandra; a brother Louis Kirk (Nok); his aunt Betty Coletti; niece, Liana Smith (Ben) and nephew Sean Kirk (Marlana), grand nephews and nieces; cousins; step children and spouses, Michael and Dee Dee Wirebaugh, Steven Wirebaugh, Kristi and Shaun Guanco; many step grandchildren and step great grandchildren, sister-in-law Patricia Avery; brother-in-law Charles Gackstetter, step nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends including his longtime friends, David and Kathy Them.
A coast to coast "Celebration of Cliff" road trip is being planned to allow small gatherings of friends and family in different locations to share memories and raise a glass of fine wine in honor of a truly wonderful man.
Donations in his honor can be made to the Oregon Food Bank. https://www.oregonfoodbank.org
His degree led him to chemical engineering jobs in Houston, Texas, where he later went into technical sales, a position that offered him the opportunity to travel to Japan. There he picked up Japanese art prints of raptors, one of his fascinations, and also his first 35mm camera, leading to a love of photography.
Cliff relocated to Southern California, where he continued to pursue his passion for photography, attending the Newport School of Photography founded by Al Belson, a friend of Ansel Adams. The school specialized in black & white prints and portrayals of humanity in street scene photography. Cliff went on to photograph cars and drivers at the Long Beach F1 races, artists at rock concerts and landmarks. He captured live street scenes and anything he found interesting on film, always processing his own prints.
He loved classic rock music, a love shared with his daughter from a young age. They experienced many road trips together, singing along to the lyrics with the music blaring. Her interest in ballet led him to an appreciation of dance and he frequently attended San Francisco Ballet performances. He loved listening to symphony orchestral music, especially some of the resounding, emotional selections from Russian composers and could regularly be seen attending San Francisco Symphony Orchestra performances and later Portland Symphony Orchestra performances.
While living in Orange County, Cliff gained a love of Thai food and learned to make Thai dishes with his friend, David, making sure that he had as authentic ingredients as possible. Cliff also took up long distance running and ran frequently with David.
He moved to the East Bay in Northern California. He continued running and could be seen regularly running down Bollinger Canyon Road in San Ramon. He went on to run several marathons from California to London, where he incorporated a tour of the UK with his daughter. He briefly added cycling to his accomplishments, participating in 100 mile bike rides, evidenced by the road rash scars he carried. He went back to running.
Cliff's love and knowledge of wines was nurtured at PRIMA Ristorante in Walnut Creek. He could be seen regularly, having dinner at the bar, sipping Italian varietals and talking wines with the owners and staff that came to know and love him.
In 2001, Cliff met the love of his life at a cooking class, "Dinner for One". Their shared love of food, cooking, wines, travel, art, and music carried them through 23 years rich in love and adventures. Through their love of wines and food, they met many wonderful friends, belonging to the Southbay Winetasters Guild and later the West Coast Wine Club. They frequently hosted wine tastings, dinners and celebrations at their home, cementing lifetime friendships.
His love of cooking carried over to other styles, Braised Lamb Shanks becoming one of his specialties. His pride in accomplishing a tricky cooking technique was exhibited whenever he flipped over a Spanish Tortilla from the pan onto a plate with aplomb, and then flashed a grin of satisfaction as he presented his masterpiece.
After retiring to Portland, Oregon, they explored their new wine areas, finding new friends with the same appreciation of food and wines. They participated in wine tastings and wine judging. They traveled to Europe every year, exploring corners of France, Italy and Spain together.
During the last several years, Cliff addressed many heart issues, determined to not let them slow him down. This man had an iron will. At the same time COVID hit, he was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, a disease that over the next five years slowly robbed him of the ability to do everything he loved. Still, he enjoyed watching nature shows, especially with his beloved raptors, listening to his classic rock and symphony orchestra music, and spending time with family and friends.
Cliff passed away at home on November 9, 2024, only a few weeks after celebrating his 87th birthday. He was surrounded by family who loved him. Cliff will be remembered for his generous spirit, always wanting to share whatever he had, and his need to know that everyone he cared about was safe. His Hollywood smile will be greatly missed.
He's survived by his wife, Cheryl Avery; his daughter Heather Eccarius, her husband Anthony, a granddaughter, Alexandra; a brother Louis Kirk (Nok); his aunt Betty Coletti; niece, Liana Smith (Ben) and nephew Sean Kirk (Marlana), grand nephews and nieces; cousins; step children and spouses, Michael and Dee Dee Wirebaugh, Steven Wirebaugh, Kristi and Shaun Guanco; many step grandchildren and step great grandchildren, sister-in-law Patricia Avery; brother-in-law Charles Gackstetter, step nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends including his longtime friends, David and Kathy Them.
A coast to coast "Celebration of Cliff" road trip is being planned to allow small gatherings of friends and family in different locations to share memories and raise a glass of fine wine in honor of a truly wonderful man.
Donations in his honor can be made to the Oregon Food Bank. https://www.oregonfoodbank.org
