Bill "The Dreamer Kirkham" GA-ME 1990

[Lauriep]

Bill was a late northbound thru-hiker in 1990, starting at Springer May 2, reaching Harpers Ferry July 23, and summiting Katahdin on October 15. He listed Sonoma, CA as his home on his Harpers Ferry photo and his 2,000-miler hike report to ATC.

From: www.charbonneaufh.com/obits/obituary.php?id=443771.

William L. Kirkham, 1924-2014

After an extended illness, William L. Kirkham of Ware, passed away on January 17th at Orchard Valley assisted living in Wilbraham. Mr. Kirkham, with countless other residents of Ware, was instrumental in the conceptualization and ultimately the realization of the towns Senior Citizens Center, a facility he took great pride in.

An Engineering graduate of Lehigh University and with graduate work at the Newark College of Engineering, Mr. Kirkham was a retired engineer who had ever increasing management responsibility with some of the nations leading electronic firms, i.e. International Telephone and Telegraph, Westinghouse, Raytheon, and Fairchild Semiconductor. His career included managing manufacturing facilities in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maine, England, California, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. During his career Mr. Kirkham developed several pieces of equipment that he held patents on for the growth of crystals used in today’s modern semiconductors, as well overseeing the commissioning of what was to become the worlds largest diode manufacturing facility in Cebu, the Philippines.

An avid outdoorsman, Mr. Kirkham always loved a challenge. During his High School and College years Mr. Kirkham earned letters in track and field, and basketball. Among his myriad athletic accomplishments after his retirement, Mr. Kirkham hiked the entire length of the Appalachian Trail from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. He had also bicycled from Anchorage, Alaska to the Arctic Circle, and then down the Alcan Highway to his then home in Sonoma, California. He had also ridden his bicycle cross country, from his then home in Sonoma, California to his lakefront cabin in Readfield, Maine. Later in life Mr. Kirkham, in an effort to “cut back” on his exercise routine, started riding his bicycle 100 miles every weekend, all in preparation for an annual ride on his birthday, the purpose of which was to improve upon his time of the previous year.

Among Mr. Kirkham’s’ hobbies was fine woodworking, to include numerous pieces of furniture for his children’s homes. Mr. Kirkham also took pleasure in building construction, having built several garages, decks, and remodeling of his and his families properties. In his spare time he could be counted upon to plant and harvest extensive garden plots.

A veteran of service in WWII, Mr. Kirkham served in the Tenth Mountain Division at Fort Carson, Colorado. Mr. Kirkham was also assigned by the Army to North Carolina State University where he did advanced course work in Electrical Engineering to become a part of a cadre of engineers who would be tasked with rebuilding the infrastructure of the country should it be attacked by the Axis powers. Mr. Kirkham was discharged from active duty in 1946.

Mr. Kirkham is survived by his beloved wife Gwendoline Kirkham (nee Few) of Ware, daughters Kathy Kirkham of Klamath Falls, Oregon, Barbara Ilg of Charlton, and step son Daniel Dwyer of Scarborough, Maine, and grand children Kate Hattabaugh of Charlton, Massachusetts, and Corporal Stuart Hattabaugh currently assigned to the Security Unit of the US Embassy, Cameroon, Africa and innumerable stepchildren, nieces, nephews, and grand-children. A calling hour and service will be held on Saturday Jan. 25th from 10 am to 12 noon at the Charbonneau Funeral Home, 30 Pleasant St. in Ware.

The family would like to especially recognize the staff and one on one caregivers at Orchard Valley Assisted Living, and Guardian Hospice for their unyielding devotion to, and care provided Mr. Kirkham.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Ware Senior Citizens Center, 1 Robbins Rd. Ware Ma 01082 in Mr. Kirkham’s name.

Laurie P.
ATC

[Foresight]

Godspeed, Mr. Kirkham.

[takethisbread]

WWII! when men were men, and 66 year old men start their thru hike in May and get to Katahdin in time! when retired men not only ride their bike across country, but then throws a little arctic circle ride in for good measure. god bless the Dreamer and may he rest in peace! god Bless the USA


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Capt Nat]

You've left a hole in the universe Mr. Bill, Godspeed

[Tri-Pod Bob]

Mr. K lived right up the road from here. Quite an interesting guy! RIP Bill.....you'll be missed in these parts!