The Words of the Kirst Family
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The Words of the Kirst Family |
Richard Thomas Kirst, Jr. is an amazing person. He was born in Lebanon, PA on October 9, 1950, one of nine children. Raised Catholic, he sincerely wanted to serve God and entered the Seminary to become a priest, but there was much with which he didn't agree. He left to enter a new mission, the Air Force. While stationed in England repairing jet aircraft, he met his wife Patsy Kyong. Upon returning to the US, he soon met his spiritual mother, Mrs. Toshiko Sato. He and Patsy joined the church together in July 1974. She was pregnant with their first son, Jonathan.
Richard was a man of impeccable integrity with a heart of absolute devotion to God and True Parents, no matter how difficult the course or the cost to him personally. And the cost was great. Circumstances caused his wife to separate from him and Richard became a single parent, raising Jonathan alone, having to leave him in the care of others while he worked in the church.
Richard's heart was always on the altar before God. He could have been Noah working on the Arc, so singular was his devotion while working on his missions: IOWC, the Boulder Center, MFT, Seilo Machine Tools, and various seafood enterprises. As its National Messiah, his undying determination was and is to serve and save the people of Bulgaria.
In the October 1982 6000 couple Blessing, Richard was blessed to Atsuko Fujitsuka, a Kodiak-mission sister. They have two daughters -- Estelle and Hannah. Richard raised his children with incredible love, and the highest standard of conduct. All three of his children are remarkable individuals. His wife is a paragon of faith.
Richard's stubbornness nearly cost him his life. The first time he acquired cancer, it was his persistent boss, the president of the company, who drove Richard to the doctor where they discovered a huge tumor. The doctor said "one day later and Richard would have died". He battled with that cancer for over a year bringing it to a stage thought to be of total remission, but that was not so. This recent battle was the 2nd relapse of cancer for Richard.
In the workplace, Richard was known for working long hours, even on Saturdays, and often took on extra projects to help maintain the business. He was rock-of-Gibraltar solid, and ornery as hell, but never vindictive or mean. He just wouldn't back down if he thought something was right. He neglected himself while he pushed forward toward the success of whatever endeavor he undertook.
He is survived by his wife Atsuko, his son Jonathan (wife Mina), and his daughters Estelle (husband Marten Hernandez) and Hannah Kirst.
Visitation and his Ascension Memorial Service will be held at Will of God Family Church, 14556 Almeda Road, Houston, TX 77053-3805. Visitation from 1-3pm and the Memorial Service from 3-5pm this Sunday, March 27. His burial will be with full Air Force honors at the National Cemetery of Houston on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 1:15 pm sharp.
Cards, letters and offerings of support are appreciated and can be sent to his wife Atsuko Kirst at 1701 Upland Drive, Apt 165, Houston, TX 77043. For more information, please contact Houston HSA Pastor, George Brewer or the D9 District Pastor, Rev. Mark Hernandez.