Kirkwood W. Gillespie

DEERFIELD-Kirkwood W. Gillespie, age 89, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016, at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital. He was born on July 29, 1927, in Lincoln, Neb., the son of Wesley and Kathryn Gillespie. Kirk enlisted in the U.S. Navy during WWII and then returned to Lincoln and earned a BS in psychology. He used his GI Bill and enrolled in the ROTC program to help with expenses. Just as he graduated in 1952, the Korean Conflict began and he was sent to Germany as a 2nd Lt. Kirk stayed in Germany after his separation from the Army and traveled the world for 20 years, working in 56 countries. Growing up in Nebraska, Kirk was always working with horses, even riding them to school in the Sandhills where he and his brother lived with their uncle and aunt after his father was killed in an accident when Kirk was just nine years old. In high school, he was involved with the rodeo and started a Horse Breaking Club at the Agricultural High School in Curtis, Nebraska. On Dec. 31, 1971, Kirk was united in marriage to Suzanne Eriksson. Life took Kirk and Suzanne to California to begin a new settlement focused around equine ranches. He was a volunteer on mounted horseback for Placer County Search and Rescue, and often called to ride drag for the Tevis Cup, which is a 100 mile-one day endurance ride and a separate run. At age 65, Kirk returned to compete in the Tevis Cup himself. In Foresthill, CA he was Commander of the American Legion and with friends, founded The Foresthill Historical Society, where he was their first president and helped build a Gold Rush Museum in the Legion Park. In 1984, Kirk and Suzanne came to Dane County where they started Gillespie's Place, a bowling and banquet facility. His love of horses led him to purchase a farm near Deerfield, where he bred and trained horses to drive. Kirk was very active with American Driving Society and Dairyland Driving Club. His family was always close to his heart. Kirk truly loved spending time with his grandchildren. He attended all their sporting activities and taught them how to ride and drive the horses. Kirk was a successful businessman and enjoyed sales. Kirk is survived by his loving wife, Suzanne; his beloved children, grandchildren, sister and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Wesley Gillespie. A Celebration of Life with Military Honors will be held at the GILLESPIE SPORTHORSE FARM, 1625 County Rd. BB, Deerfield, at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016, with a pig roast to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his honor to the Badger Honor Flight, PO Box 258066, Madison, WI 53725.