|
We consider Kirk Tapp a part of our class from 1980 as he would've graduated with us. The following is the remembrance for Kirk from our Junior Yearbook - Talon '79:
Though we try to organize our lives as best we can, some events, tragic events, never quite seem to fit into the scheme of things. On Friday, November 3, 1978, Kirk Tapp, a member of the Heights High Junior Class, was killed by an automobile while on his way to a football game. Mr. Steve Woodman, Heights teacher, remembered Kirk as a student, "interested in knowledge for its own sake. Kirk was not a typical student, and he had great potential." Kirk will be missed by his friends and teachers.
|
Tom Bonner
Kirk still lives in my memories and will live with me there forever. On that night the car behind me hit my best friend when he stepped out onto the road to wave me down. Earlier that day, Kirks truck had broken down and I was supposed to pick him and Glen up at the house. I was late and they took out on foot to the game. I passed them on the road and as I was turning around in the Scott’s driveway, I saw the accident. I can remember the shocked blank look on Glen’s face as I drove back to the scene. He said “It’s Kirk, I think he’s dead”. Not knowing what to say or do I took off for the Highway Patrol Station at Hillside and 45th. As I pulled into the Highway Patrol parking lot I slammed my car into park and ran into the building for help. The police and rescue squad reacted as fast as humanly possible. I went back to be with Kirk!! The rest was a blur until I was sitting at the hospital. My next solid memory was Kirk’s mom and dad coming back into the waiting room to say that “Kirk was gone” and that they were donating his eyes to someone that could not see.For along time after I blamed myself for his death. If I wasn’t late to pick them up it wouldn’t have happened. I believe most everyone has said that to themselves at one time in their lives. I was mad at God and everything else, I remember saying it should have been me. I questioned why God took such a good hearted caring young man and left me.
As I have grown older I have realized that every generation has a similar story to tell and Kirk was ours. In 2008 my best friend and neighbor John lost his son Jeff under very similar circumstances. As I prayed and grieved for my now best friends lose God’s spirit proclaimed to me that you now know why it was not you I took that night. He said you have a new best friend that he and his family need your help, Kirk your childhood best friend has taught you how to carry on.
Kirk! You have helped mold my life and I love you for that.
Tom Bonner
David Norris
I didn't know Kirk long. I got to know Kirk through working together with him on projects in Mr. Smith's speech and debate classes our sophomore year. I will probably always remember that Saturday morning the fall of our junior years when I heard the news he'd been killed - or had I? It came over the radio while I was getting dressed that a Kirk Trapp had been killed in a car - pedestrian accident out front of Heights just prior to the football game. Kirk Trapp? Name was pretty close, but not exactly right. Hmmm. That was all I could find out. We were leaving town for the day to attend a college football game and wouldn't be back til late at night. All thru the day, I kept telling myself that the victim must've been someone else with a very similar name. But in my head and heart, I knew that was just too good to be true. Seeing the Sunday paper confirmed the worst. Kirk was gone.
Kirk was so much fun. One of those kind of kids who are hard to forget. Always good for a wisecrack to make us laugh. His funny expression when he grinned or laughed. And the zany t-shirts he used to wear with the funniest stuff on them. My favorite was the "tuxedo t-shirt." I'd never seen one before his. However, since then, I've had a few tux tees of my own thru the years. Whenever I'd buy one or wear it or come across it folded up in my drawer now (the days are long gone as my days of looking anywhere good in a t-shirt are sadly long past), I'd always think of Kirk.