THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 23, 1997 TAG: 9702230141
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: IRVINGTON, VA. LENGTH: 41 lines
Donald L. Kirkbride, 73, an active minister for 46 years and a retired captain from the Navy Chaplain Corps, died Feb. 21, 1997, in his home from the effects of prostate cancer.
Capt. Kirkbride was born in Minneapolis. He earned his bachelor of arts degree at San Francisco State University and Dickinson University. He attended the Pacific School of Religion, Berkley, Calif., for his bachelor of divinity degree and went on to graduate work at the University of Southern California. He earned his doctor of theology degree from Yale Divinity School in 1963.
He performed more than 33 years of Navy service, entering under the V-12 Program. Among the highlights of his career were service in Spain, a tour as senior chaplain on the USS America off the coast of Vietnam and service as senior chaplain for the Fifth Naval District and Norfolk Naval Station, where he retired from the Navy in 1977.
His religious denomination was United Church of Christ and he was past president of the church's Southern Conference. Upon retiring from the Navy, he led the congregation of the Christian Temple, Norfolk, for more than 17 years. He served as a chaplain for Old Dominion University and was a member of the Theophilus Club. Donald also helped the people of Norfolk by direct participation and as a member of the board for community service organizations, including the Red Cross, Navy Relief Society, Colonial Coast Girl Scout Council, the Dwelling Place, Armed Forces YMCA and Family Services.
Donald studied art at Old Dominion University, earning a bachelor of fine arts degree. He served as a docent for Historic Christian Church, Irvington, and was a member of the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club.
Donald was married to the former Greta Ellen Mohn of Niles, Calif., for more than 48 years. Other survivors include Alexandra Kirkbride of Raleigh, N.C., Laurie Van Slyke of White Stone, Va., and Cmdr. Gregory Kirkbride of Crofton, Md.
Funeral services will take place in Irvington Baptist Church, Irvington, at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, 1997. The family asks that remembrances be in the form of donations to the Cancer Center at Rappahannock General Hospital in Kilmarnock, Va., in memory of Capt. Donald L. Kirkbride, Chc.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY