In memoriam: David Kirkner, associate professor of civil engineering emeritus | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › In memoriam: David Kirkner, associate professor of civil engineering emeritus In memoriam: David Kirkner, associate professor of civil engineering emeritus Published: March 07, 2022 Author: Karla Cruise Candles in the Grotto David Kirkner, associate professor of civil engineering emeritus at the University of Notre Dame, passed away Feb. 19 from complications related to heart failure. He was 74. Kirkner earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Youngstown State University and a doctoral degree in structural engineering from Case Western Reserve University. A member of the Notre Dame faculty since 1979, he served as department chair, participated in the foundation of the Notre Dame chapter of Habitat for Humanity, and published a number of research articles and a textbook. He is remembered by faculty and students as a dedicated teacher. “He was a passionate teacher, one of our best. He cared deeply about our students,” said Joannes Westerink, the Joseph and Nona Ahearn Professor of Computational Science and Engineering. “His clarity and conciseness in teaching mechanics were simply superb.” Brian Smith, associate teaching professor of civil and environmental engineering and earth sciences, was Kirkner’s student and later colleague. “As an undergraduate, a brief conversation with Dave was a major reason why I decided to focus on structural engineering,” Smith said. “He was a highly respected professor who challenged students and got the best out of them. When I became a faculty member, Dave’s informal mentorship helped me navigate my early years, and his advice put me in a position to be successful. He was one of the most influential people in my life.” “Dave was more than a colleague, but a dear friend,” said Yahya Kurama, professor of civil and environmental engineering and earth sciences. “Being far away from my own parents who lived in Turkey, Dave was like a father figure to me. I will miss him very much.” Kirkner’s expertise, research and publications crossed disciplinary boundaries but were rooted in advancing finite element analysis and stochastics. He was awarded a Fulbright scholar grant in 2000 to conduct research at the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw, Poland, and he subsequently wrote a comprehensive introduction to the field of stochastic modeling of material microstructures with his colleague Kazimierz Sobczyk. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carol Kirkner, as well as three children and a sister, niece and nephew. Posted In: Faculty and Staff Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related October 04, 2022 NIH awards $4 million grant to psychologists researching suicide prevention September 09, 2022 Karrie Koesel to testify before Congressional-Executive Commission on China August 18, 2022 Two faculty win NEH grants to research history of red hair, philosophy of revelation August 16, 2022 NSF names Center for Computer-Assisted Synthesis a Phase II Center for Chemical Innovation August 15, 2022 Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., on Russian atrocities against clergy in Ukraine For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn