Dr. Harry Kirk Dansereau, 96, also known to many as "Harry, Kirk, Frenchy, Dad, Pap, Baba, Pop, Dr. D. and Uncle Harry," passed away October 11, 2017, at the Christian Health Center in Bowling Green.

The Baltimore, Maryland native was born September 22, 1921, son of the late Edward and Edna Dansereau. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Eugenia Starcher Dansereau; daughter, Ellen Dansereau Ballmeyer; son, Edward Starcher Dansereau; and sister, Norma D. Saulsbury (Perk).

He is survived by his grandchildren, Jamie Hawthorne, Erin Dansereau Hilton (Mike), Lindsay Ballmeyer Weishaar (Craig), Robert Kirk Ballmeyer (Julie); great-grandchildren Rachael Kathryn Hawthorne, Mikayla Hope Weishaar, Victoria Faith Weishaar, Harry Dansereau Hilton, Ellen James Hilton, William David Ballmeyer, Elliott Kirk Ballmeyer, Jocelyn Ellen Ballmeyer; son-in-law William Henry Ballmeyer (Deborah); and special family friends, Sharon and Charlie Saxton, Denny Revis and Sally Jackson.

He was a graduate of Stevens High School in Claremont, New Hampshire and continued his education in receiving his BS Degree in 1943 from the University of Maryland. He attended the American University in Shrivenham, England and received his Master's Degree in 1948 from West Virginia University. In 1956 he received his PhD in Sociology from Michigan State University.

He had a vast career in teaching starting with Graham High School in Bluefield, Virginia, and then on to West Virginia University Chemistry Labs, Presbyterian Junior College for Men in Maxton, North Carolina, Michigan State University, University of Mississippi, Penn State University, the Turkish Fulbright Program in Ankara, Turkey, and finally Western Kentucky University, where he was the Head of the Sociology Department.

Our Pap married the love of his life, Mary Eugenia ("Gene") Starcher in 1949, and they were together for 55 years. They raised two amazing children, they traveled the world, and they threw the best parties for their family and friends. Theirs was the greatest of love stories. After she passed in 2004, he wrote an In Memoriam to her, entitled "My dear, dear Gene" which he recited every single morning. His sweet tribute included: "Believe me, my darling, if God sees fit for me to reach the life hereafter, I will find you. May the Lord bless you and keep you while we are absent each from the other, and in His care may He give you the Peace you so richly deserve."

Pap was a lover of life and the most generous of souls. He never met a stranger and welcomed anyone into a conversation with his brilliance and intelligence. And he loved a good challenge on the facts of almost any topic. An extraordinary storyteller, he would share memories of his Gene and their courtship; his pride in his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren; and his love of the teaching profession. As his list of university employment grew, he often joked that he couldn't hold down a job. Truth was he was a professor who cared deeply for his students and was always looking for that next challenge. At one point in his career he was awarded a teaching opportunity in Ankara, Turkey. He moved his family there for a year, and fell in love with the country and its people. Turkey became a home away from home for many years to come as he and his family traveled the world together.

His wartime stories were some of his most interesting. He WAS the Greatest Generation. A World War II veteran who could tell you every detail of the Battle of the Bulge, because his tank was the first one in and the last one out. He earned a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts, but you never heard much about them. His stories were always about the men he served with (who were like family to him) and the commanders he respected - but also those he didn't. He stood up for what was right in any circumstance, in war and in life, never straying from the truth. Ever.

Pap was a true American Hero who deeply loved his family, friends, and his country. He taught us to love big no matter the sacrifice. He reminded us just within the last year that, "The greatest wealth in this life is family." We miss you, Pap, and we will carry on your legacy forever, because in your words, "We come from good stock."

Please join our family in celebrating this extraordinary man's life:

Friday, November 10th at Johnson Vaughn Phelps Funeral Home, Visitation 1:00 - 2:45pm with the Memorial Service from 3:00 - 4:00pm. A Celebration of Life will be held from 4:30 - 7:30pm at Novo Dolce's Next Door Lounge.

Memorial donations for Kirk Dansereau can be made to the Bowling Green Firefighters Association, with special thanks to our dear friend, Steve Candela. Steve always treated our grandfather like his own, and we will forever be grateful for the extra time we got with our Pap because of his love and care.

Please make checks to BGFA and send to P.O. Box 1049, Bowling Green, KY 42101. Note in the memo: in memory of Kirk Dansereau. The gifts will be used by the BGFA to provide Thanksgiving meals and Christmas gifts to local families in need.

Finally, if you're still reading, we realize this tribute is remarkably longer than most obituaries. That is, unless you knew
our Pap. And then you'd ask, "Why so short?"

What a life! To you, Pap.
With love,
Your grandchildren