"So sorry for your loss, prayers to Jason and the family, R.I.P"
In loving memory of
Kirk Kvitle
July 15, 1959 - October 28, 2020
Dr. Kirk D. Kvitle, 61, died peacefully on Wednesday, October 28th 2020 alongside his beloved wife, Barb, after a hard-fought battle against mesothelioma.
Kirk was born July 15th, 1959 in Lincoln, Illinois to Martin David Kvitle and Shirley Ann Kvitle. Growing up in a small town, he learned the importance of community and acquired life-long friendships. Lettering in basketball, football, and track, Kirk was an accomplished athlete and took pride in being a Lincoln Rail-Splitter.
Kirk earned a bachelor's degree in Zoology from Eastern Illinois University and acquired his doctorate degree from Illinois College of Optometry. Upon graduating, he began his optometry career at Coventry Eyecare in Evanston Illinois. In 1986, Kirk accepted a position at Eye Specialist Clinic in Quincy, Illinois. Though they did not know it at the time, Quincy would become their forever home. After years of professional experience working alongside Dr. William U. "Bill" McReynolds, Kirk opened his own optometric practice in 2001. Family Eyecare & Contact Lens Center quickly became a well-respected family business in the Quincy community, as a result of Kirk's commitment to developing meaningful relationships with his patients and staff. He looked forward to going into work every day. His advice to his children as they were navigating their own career paths was, "If you love what you do, you'll never have to work a day in your life."
A natural leader dedicated to education, Kirk was a member of the Illinois and American Optometric Association, past President of Quincy Rotary Club, and served as an adjunct associate professor at University of Missouri, St. Louis as well as Southern Illinois University. He offered valuable teaching contributions toward Quincy Family Practice Resident Physicians.
Kirk met the love of his life, Barbara Anne Kvitle, at a wedding reception in November of 1982. They were married in Lincoln, Illinois at Holy Family Church on June 2nd 1984. Kirk always said that marrying Barb was the best decision he ever made. Through their 36 years together, they were the ultimate life and business partners and accomplished a great deal. But they would both say that their greatest accomplishments were their four children; Jason, Emily, Hannah and Martin.
Kirk was passionate about his children and was invested in their individual journeys. After a long work day, he would manage to coach their teams or cheer them on from the stands. He was their toughest critic and their number one fan. A stern disciplinarian, Kirk reserved a soft spot in his heart for his kids. There was never a day that they didn't know his love for them. Kirk's compassion and generosity extended beyond his nuclear family to include Barb's special needs brother. He was a kind, gentle, and exemplary father figure to many.
An adventurous spirit, Kirk was a man of many hobbies and interests. From golfing, to fishing, to hunting, Kirk loved the outdoors. Following in his father's footsteps, Kirk acquired a passion for aviation and became a proud instrument rated pilot. He loved the thrill of flying, especially with the company of his co-pilot, Barb. Side by side is where they preferred to be.
Kirk's latest hobby arrived with the gift of his two granddaughters being born just months apart. Audrey Mae and Andie Christine quickly became Papa's little buddies and were often found snuggling, laughing, swimming or dancing with papa. Even undergoing numerous cancer treatments, joy exuded from his face when he was around his girls.
Kirk will be greatly missed by his family, friends, patients and co-workers along with the rest of the Quincy community.
Survivors include his wife Barb and their children Jason (Courtney) Kvitle, Emily (Chris) Peters, Hannah (Tessa) McLinden, and Martin (Jordan) Kvitle. He is also survived by his two granddaughters Audrey Peters and Andie Kvitle and a grandson arriving soon. Additionally, his siblings Kim Mitchell, Karen (Ross) Giesler, and Kristie (Neil) Goedhard. Other survivors include his mother, Shirley Ann, and his stepmother, Janet Kvitle, as well as brothers and sisters-in-law, Emil (Marisa) Verban, Steve Verban, and Suzanne (Jim) Benner, and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Kirk was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Martin Kvitle; father-in-law, Emil Verban; mother-in-law, Annetta Verban; and brothers-in-law, Steven Mitchell and Michael Verban.
Due to current gathering restrictions in Illinois, a Celebration of Kirk's Life will be held in the Spring at one of his happy places. Updates will be posted online at www.hansenspear.com.
In lieu of flowers, meals, etc., the Kvitle family asks for memorials to the Mesothelioma Foundation for further research and treatment of this horrible disease. To learn more about mesothelioma, please visit: https://www.curemeso.org/
Memorials to the Mesothelioma Foundation may be made online at https://memorials.hansenspear.com/ or by mailing a check for the Mesothelioma Foundation to Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, 1535 State Street, Quincy, IL 62301.
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.
Tributes
"Kvitle Family Very sorry to hear about Kirk. He was most certainly a stand up role model and a great father figure. May Jesus be with you all during this time."
"Dear Kvitle family, Sending our sympathy and prayers to the family. Kirk was our doctor and a consummate professional. He will be sadly missed, and we have all lost a good friend and a great professional. Mike and Mary Schuttler"
"I send my condolences to all of you... he will always hold a special place in my heart from the great childhood basketball memories up until seeing you around the community in my older days! You will be missed "
"We have fond memories of the Kvitle family living across the street from us in Sheridan Estates. Jason loved playing basketball with our son, Jeff who was a teenager. Jason would often come to our door asking if Jeff could come out to play. They were a good family to have in our neighborhood and we were sorry to see them move. Kirk also took good care of our parents when they had special eye issues as they aged. We offer our deepest sympathy to the family. Bill and Connie Wells"
"Dear extended Kvitle family and especially Barb, My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Dr. Kirk was my optometrist and, no doubt, the best in my life experience. He took time and explained everything so well. He never seemed in a hurry and if you had a question, he would take time to answer. I will certainly miss him. Dr. Jason is great as well and one can see that the work and patient care ethos was and is part of that team. Thinking of the staff as well and I know this is a great loss for them as well. With sympathy and compassion, Don."
"I am so sorry to hear of Kirks passing. He was not only my eye Dr. but also a fellow Rotarian and I always enjoyed having lunch and conversation with him when we had the opportunity. My deepest condolences to Barb and all the family. "
"Dear Barb, Jason, Emily, Hannah and Martin, Words just don't seem to properly express the emotion we are feeling with Kirk's passing. It is truly rare to meet a person with the outstanding qualities he had. He was kind, funny, loving, intelligent, competitive and loyal to mention a few. These qualities drew me to Kirk when we were 14. Kirk and I met when we were freshmen in high school. I knew of Kirk previously in junior high, right after his much smaller West Lincoln Elementary School beat my Lincoln Junior High in basketball. He, of course, was the best player on either team. We became fast friends in high school and were proud members of the Lincoln Railer basketball team. It was much more than sports that drew me to Kirk. He had a way of making everyone around him feel comfortable and appreciated. Our friendship only grew over the years. I watched from a distance as Kirk graduated from college and then the Illinois College of Optometry. When he met Barb and married her, he told me that was the best decision he ever made. I was in complete agreement. Barb and my wife Denise became friends and over the years, we watched each other?s family grow from small children to wonderful adults. I know how proud Kirk was of every one of his children. While we didn?t always get together enough, when we did, it was like we had never been apart. I will miss my best friend, who was a brother to me, but smile when I recall all the fond memories we shared together. Kirk was the finest example of a life well lived. Rest well my friend. Denise and I send our deepest sympathy and love. Jeff and Denise McClard "
"To the Kvitle Family, I was shocked and very sad to hear the of the loss of your beloved husband, dad, and grandpa. I remember from Martin and Joshua at QND Kirk was a compassionate, loving family man. Sending prayers to the family during this difficult time. Sincerely, Jodi & Joshua Bliven"
"Barb and children...our condolences to your very personal loss, and the loss to our community of a fine gentleman. The legacy of your children and grandchildren will bless many in our area for unknown years to come in his memory. Peace in the days ahead. - "
"Dear Barb, Jason and family. I wanted to express my deepest sympathy for your loss. Jason, I really enjoyed his fishing and hunting stories, The pictures and the fishing tips.. I considered him a friend. He will be deeply missed."
"Kvitle family I will always remember Dr. Kirk, He was the best eye doctor I have went to. I enjoyed my visits with him and he took special care of my eye and was concern for my eye and kept a close watch over it. I sure will miss him. Thank again to Dr. Kirk Betty Stutz, Kahoka, MO"
"Barb, Jason and Family. Kirk has been considered part of our family for years and we will miss him. He saved Bill and my eyes. Then when Bill had a stroke he was the one to find it before even the medical doctors. He was a great man! "
"Barb and family: I was saddened to hear about Kirk. I had so much joy in coaching Kirk in football and track. He was always eager and had a great work ethic. He was a joy to be around an his enthusiasm was contagious for all his teammates. You will all be in our prayers. Larry and Barb Shoop"
"Dear Barb and Jason, I am so sorry for your loss. Kirk was very good to Justin and myself when the boys played baseball together. We both enjoyed going to the games and having him as the coach. They are great memories of the boys childhood. Cheryl and Justin Kemner"
"He was our eye doctor for our whole family . He will be missed. Condolences to the family , we will keep you call in our prayers and thoughts."
"Dear Barb & family. So shocked & sorry to hear about Kirk. I will always remember him saving my eye and telling me he had prayed for me. God Bless you all. Such a loss!"
"We like to hear how fun it was for our daughter(Robin Krogman Meier) to be Kirk & Barbs kids nanny. You will be missed a lot but i know Jansen will do you proud!"
"Dear Bab, Jason, Emily, Hannah, Martin and families. We are heartbroken and will miss Kirk for the rest of our lives. We are so thankful we were able to attend his 60th surprise birthday party last year. Although it had been years since all of us had been together, it sure felt like hardly time had passed at all when you four and our two were young kids. From the time I first met the Kvitles, I always felt so welcome in their home. I had heard about David's buddy Kirk and all the stories of times they shared as nextdoot neighbors through high school and beyond, and once we started a family, they grew up hearing them, too. I have some very fond memories of my own, particularly of Kirk's kind, patient eye exam and instructions forputting in the contacts to correct my vision just weeks before our wedding because I did not want to wear glasses. And I will never forget when he flew his plane to Cinsne to be there for David at his dad's funeral. The two of us took him back to the small grass runway and although a somber occasion, neither one of us could stop smiling as we watched him take off. Kirk told me a few months after my second son was born that I was looking "hot," and I can't tell you how much that meant to me. He sure had a way about him. "
"Barb, Lisa and I are so sorry to hear of Kirks passing. You were the people in life that we met and wished we were neighbors for life. God bless you. Barth and Lisa Adolphson "
"Dear Barb and Children, I wish I had the right words to say, as I was so shocked to hear about Kirk's passing. He was such a dear friend to Lou and me - always so caring and such a professional. Kirk lived a life well-lived that touched so many. My love to the Family - "
"Dr. Kvitle... I started out with him as my optometrist in ?86 & except for a few college years, had been with him ever since. He was such a wonderful man & doctor. We always chatted a bit before getting down to business & he was always willing to spend whatever time needed, answering any questions. .... My condolences to his entire family. He will be very missed, but always remembered. "
"My entire family will miss him terribly and we are so sorry for your loss. Never once did her ever make me feel that I wasn't important to him as he was always friendly, wanted to know about my family and never made my appointment feel rushed. Our prayers are with you."
"I met Dr. Kvitle waiting on him and Barb at Gem City Pizza one night. He saw something in me, gave me a chance, and I ended up working side by side with him for 7 years. He was a great man and outstanding doctor. He taught me so much, I will forever have a special spot in my heart for him and the FEC family ??"
"Barb and family our sincere condolences. Dr Kirk had been our eye doctor for 30 years. He was always had time for a little chit chat. He will be greatly miss by all who knew him "
"Mrs. Kvitle: we feel really sorry about your loss. God is great and he is taking care of your dear husband. My prayers are with you and your kids. God bless you all. Isabel Rodriguez."
"Dr. Kivitle.....an elegant, gentle, the most caring Dr. I've ever had. I join you in prayers and the Joy in knowing God said..."A job well done!""
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Mike and Barb Crist"
"doc. was a very good doctor, i respected him, always ready to help his clients. My family has always gone to doc. kirk. he will be greatly missed. god bless and comfort your family. you are in my prayers.."
"I?m so sorry to hear this, he was an amazing man and always talked me through all my health problems not just my eyes. He dropped everything in the middle of the night to save my husbands eye. He looked after my kids eyes when they started going. He will be missed but I know he left me in good hands with Jason. Prayers to your family "
"Dear Kvitle?s.. our hearts pour out to your family in your time of sorrow.. please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. I know you will forever cherish the wonderful memories you have with Kirk while he was here on earth. Love, Kevin, Jayne, Meryl, Max and Amanda Shimp"
"Dear Kvitle Family, Thinking of you and remembering happy basketball years. Dick & PAT Wentura"
"Barb and family, my sincere condolences on your loss."
"I am sad to hear of his passing! He was one of the nicest Drs ever. He was always interested in what happened to my daughter who had went to him since she was 5. Alot alot of years ago! Prayers for the family!"
"Many condolences to the family during this time. He will be missed greatly. Don & Jane Smith"
"Dr.Kvitle's was not only our Dr. But our friend. He always cane out to shake my husband's hand and ask him about his job and how he was doing. We saw him at Sam's and he took time out to talk to us. My husband and Kirk had a special bond. We are going to really miss him. He was special to us. "
"My heart breaks for your family. He was a kind soul, a excellent eye doctor and great father. My thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. God bless you all."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you. He has been our doctor for many years and always went above and beyond. Tom and Pam Reckers"
"I?m so sorry to hear this. He has been my eye doctor for 30 years. My condolences to the family!"
"Prayers are with your family. Will always remember talking with him about his children and Blue Devil Basketball. Patty Lanning "
"I am so sorry to hear of Kirk?s passing. We grew up together in Lincoln and he was a good person and a competitor in athletics. My prayers go out to his family"
"So very sorry for your loss. I was a high school classmate of Kirk?s and remember him fondly. May Hod hold you close in your loss! Mara Kerrigan Richardson"
"My condolences to Barb and the whole family. Kirk was a friend to many, gracious, thoughtful, and willing to help others. His legacy will live on, but he will be missed.. I am so saddened to hear the news. Our prayers for you in this time of great loss."
"Barb, Jason, Emily, Hannah, + Martin- My thoughts and prayers are with your family. If there is anything I?ve learned over the last month- lean into each other & remember the good times, love, & laughter you all have shared. xoxoxo Amy (Wentura) Peters & Family "
"Our heart shares the pain of your loss,may the creator give your family strength and serenity during this time.Prayers for all"
"Thoughts and prayers to family and friends. Kirk was a great doctor and will be missed by all."
"My condolences to the family on the loss of a fine Doctor and member of the Quincy Community. May God provide you the strength required in the days and weeks ahead and may your memories sustain you! "
"I am so sorry for your loss! He checked my eyes for me and did an amazing job! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family too "