Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Thomas Kirk is a successful entrepreneur and avid jazz saxophone player, and he survived more than five years in a Vietnamese prisoner of war camp. As part of a Veterans’ Day Artist in Residence series, Kirk will present a lecture on his life experiences, patriotism, wisdom and more at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 11 in French Memorial Chapel. This event is free and open to the public.
During his visit, Kirk will address several Veterans’ Day school assemblies and hold jazz clinics with students at HMS, HHS, AC, St. Cecilia, Sandy Creek and Hastings College. In addition, Kirk will be a featured guest at the Hastings Community Veterans’ Day Program. Kirk’s visit is co-sponsored by the Hastings College Artist Lecture Series.
Thomas Kirk was a United States Air Force Colonel fighter pilot, who served 28 years on active duty before his retirement in 1978. He is a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.
Following retirement from the Air Force in 1978, Kirk made his home in Italy, where he became a Certified Financial Planner, doing business with the military, State Department and Civil Service employees in Europe. In addition, he taught real estate and business courses for the City Colleges of Chicago, overseas division.
In 1985, he moved to Madrid, Spain, where he continued his financial planning business. In 1988, Kirk joined with three colleagues to open and operate a chain of home delivery pizza stores in Spain.
In June, 1992, after 18 years in Europe, Kirk chose Vail, Colorado, as his retirement home. In Vail he remained active in his investment advisory business, served sixteen years as a ski instructor with the Vail Ski School and played saxophone with several jazz groups in Denver and Vail. In January, 2009, he moved to Anthem, Arizona.
Hastings College, founded in 1882, is a private, four-year liberal arts institution affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). A total of 64 majors in 32 areas of study and 12 pre-professional programs are offered to more than 1,190 students. Hastings College was named among “America’s Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report, a “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review, and a “Best Buy in College Education” by Barron’s. Visit www.hastings.edu for more information.

For more information, contact the Dept. of Music at (402) 461-7448.