Vernon M. Kirk, Ph.D., age 81, of Brookings died Saturday, February 21, 2004, at the Brookings Hospital in Brookings, South Dakota. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, February 25, 2004, at the First United Methodist Church in Brookings. Visitations will be from 5-8 P.M. Tuesday at Eidsness Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church. Vernon was born on February 24, 1922, at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, to Norman and Hallie Kirk. He grew up there and at Harrisburg, PA. He served as a Pharmacists Mate in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. Vernon received his B.S. at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and his PhD at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. He was Professor of Entomology at Clemson University, South Carolina. In Brookings, he was Research Entomologist at the Northern Grain Insects Research Laboratory at Brookings and a graduate student Professor at SDSU. He retired in 1983. Vernon married Peggy Shugg on October 24, 1943 They lived in Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York and South Carolina prior to moving to Brookings in 1965 and resided there since. Vernon was a member of the First United Methodist Church and belonged to its choir. He was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, a charter member of the South Carolina Entomological Society, and belonged to the Entomological Society of America. Vernon was interested in wildlife, and when nine years old decided on a career in entomology. Additional interests included gardening, photography and travel to observe plant and animal life in other areas. He was known for his beautifully designed backyard gardens. He received an award in 1972 for the most beautiful yard in Brookings. Survivors include his wife, Peggy Kirk, of Brookings; one son, Ken (Nancy) Kirk of Rapid City; two daughters: Kathy (Mike McCrite) Randall of Blackshear, Georgia, and Lynn (David) Kinning of Woodbury, Minnesota; six grandchildren: Robert Kirk, D.D.S., of Rapid City, Jonathan Kirk of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Scott Randall of Edinburg, Texas, Patricia Randall of Lawrence, Kansas, and Andrew and Brett Kinning of Woodbury, Minnesota; and one brother, Norman Kirk of Lenox, Massachusetts. He was preceded in death by his parents.