Kirk Alan Nafsinger

How do you summarize 71 years into words that tell the depth of one's life and impact on others?  You don't really know until you look over your shoulder to the road traveled.    Born June 17, 1952 to James Gustov and Midge (Mildred Maude) Hubler Nafsinger in Nampa, Kirk's start in life was a miracle in itself.  Arriving 2 months early and weighing in at a little over 3 pounds he had to stay in the hospital until he reached 5 pounds.  From then on, he thrived, living south of Lake Lowell his entire life.

Life on the farm built a character and ability to fix and build almost anything, along with creating lifelong connections with family, friends and others.  Kirk cared about those connections.  In thinking back, events that come to mind are many.  Near strangers were invited to the house to stay and become a part of his life.

Adventures with airplanes were many.  He and his friend Lynn Johnson built a glider.  Lynn is a big guy and Kirk was quite a bit smaller so building something that would allow both to use the same plane was a challenge and neither had any experience with such a craft.  Kirk's cousin, Gary Hubler, said he was up for any challenge so volunteered to pilot the craft.  Off to Pickle Butte they went.  Wind was good, but the glider flew terrible.  Kirk learned to fly using a birthday gift certificate from Janie for lessons.  He purchased a Flight Star ultralight and became a member of Top Fun Flyers where he was very active for many years.  Both boys, Nick and Jim, learned to fly and the glue of the family was created.  Off we went to air shows, fun days and the Alvord Dessert.   At an air show we met Don Blank who flew in with his experimental.  Designed like the Red Barron, it was held together with duct tape.  Needing to do repairs and a shower, Don was invited and stayed with us for a week. Kathy Henry had an engine out in her ultralight and went down in our farm field.   Kirk was immediately there, helping, as always.  Another time, a friend who was a sheriff officer, came and asked Kirk to help find a car that went missing near the Snake River.  Off he flew and in short order located the car in the densely treed bank.   

Kirk was a helper with a generous nature.  He was always ready to go on an adventure, contribute to a cause, or help a stranger. At the emergency vet in Boise, he met a woman in the parking lot with a baby and a large dog.   Her car would not start, and she was unable to contact anyone. It was December and cold.  We took her home to Caldwell.  The next day we received a large Poinsettia.  Kirk loved the ultralight club and wrote the newsletter for over 10 years.  Once he was struggling for an interesting cover photo. In those years scantily clad girls were uncommon on such publications.  He fabricated a photo of a kneeling girl in a swimsuit with an ultralight tattoo on her butt cheek.  The national ultralight office roared with laughter about it and had it posted for years.  No one had ever done such a thing.   Along the way were two exchange students (Belgian & Germany) that added a foreign flare to his life. Incredible young men, both. 

Through the years Kirk was active in many things from being and instructor for hunter's safety, Lions Club events, ultralight club, projects with Nick and Jim, wood and carpentry projects of all kinds.  He was a huge supporter and cheerleader for Janie in her business and hobby ventures. If ever there was a need for a new piece of equipment, Kirk would go to work and miraculously fabricate an amazing solution to any problem.  He loved to travel, taking several cruises to Alaska, Mexico and Germany.

Family was always important. When his mother Midge needed a place to live, he added a mother-in-law wing to the house.  When his cousin Jesse and her young son found themselves homeless, he offered up the house and they moved in for almost a year.  No vehicle? He gave her his for the duration.   Want exchange students? Sure!  He took two. Then there was Nick and Jim, the apples of his eye.  Tonka projects, rocket launches, and go-cart tracks were everyday activities.  Both boys learned to fly ultralights at 14 and joined Kirk in aviation adventures. Kirk worked hard to make their lives memorable.   Mike, Coby, Brandon, Jordan and their boys, Leo & Jackson came to live on the hill too. A later addition to the family was Anthony Parrish.  He came as a friend to Jim and became a member of the family. Life was amazing with nightly gab sessions in the shop, Sunday morning breakfast for all and campfire evenings. Yes, life was full and good.   

Lastly there is Janie, Kirk's wife for over 50 years.  How do you describe a life partner other than to say he was kind-hearted.  Marriage was filled with ups and downs, always interesting, growing together through farming, children, careers and age.

Kirk passed quietly at home. Diagnosed with colon cancer, he suffered a heart attack with the second chemo treatment.   Survived by his wife Janie, son and daughter-in-law Nick and Dominy Nafsinger, brothers Mike and Steve, as well as multiple extended family.

In leu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Marsing Disaster fund.

Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life for Kirk and his son James Thomas Nafsinger to be held May 3rd, 4 to 7 pm.  Included will be remembrances and sharing at 5 pm.  Buffet provided.   A private family memorial to be held May 4th, Canyon Hill Cemetery.

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