Joseph Francis Kirch, known to his family and childhood friends as “Francis,” and to the rest of the world as “Joe,” died tragically and unexpectedly Monday, Nov. 24, in Castroville. Francis was 44 years old. He will be greatly missed by all those that loved him.
Francis was born on March 12, 1964, in Palo Alto, the seventh son and ninth child (of 11) of the late Dr. Joseph L. Kirch and Gabrielle F. Kirch. The Kirch family moved to Tres Pinos in 1967 and then to Hollister in 1972.
As a toddler, Francis was hospitalized after suffering the ferocious bite of a rattlesnake. He spent several weeks in Hollister’s Hazel Hawkins Hospital, fighting for survival against great odds with the same grit and determination he would continue to demonstrate throughout his life. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a young man, Francis fought valiantly against this disease and greatly struggled with the havoc it often wreaked upon his daily life and relationships.
Francis attended Sacred Heart School in Hollister (1970-78), and Robert Louis Stevenson School in Pebble Beach (1978-82), as well as The American School in Switzerland in Lugano (1979-1980). Francis received a B.A. in English Literature from UC Berkeley in 1986 and an M.B.A. from Golden Gate University. He spent the year following his college graduation teaching English in Japan.
Adventurous and spontaneous, Francis did not know the meaning of the word “fear.” While traveling through Asia with his family in 1980, Francis eagerly explored Riyadh, Bangkok, and Manila. As an adult, he continued to indulge in his love of travel and adventure, with trips to such countries as Egypt and India.
In 1994, Francis moved from San Francisco to New York City, where he worked as a stockbroker, though his dream was to be a writer. Francis never abandoned his passion for writing and wrote prolifically until the end of his life. The accomplishment of his last manuscript, a science fiction novella titled Charlie Button and the ESTC Machine, was a source of great pride to him.
Francis is survived by daughter, Nao Kikui, of Japan; his 10 siblings: Marc, of Berkeley; Joan Kadish, (Brian) of Seattle; Pierre (Caroline), of Paris, France; John (Chiharu), of Tokyo, Japan; Jacques (Donna), of San Diego; Luke, of Honolulu; Paul, of San Francisco; Claire (Joel Sipress), of Duluth, Minn.; Michael (Michelle), of Monterey; and Bernard, of Palo Alto; and five nieces and six nephews: Sarah, Aaron, and Jared Kadish of Seattle; Kyle, Kimberly, Kevin, and Ava Kirch of San Diego; Grace and Preston Kirch of Monterey; Christopher Kirch of Tokyo; and Rachel Sipress of Duluth.
A memorial service was held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, December 6th, at the Church in the Forest.
Donations in memory of Francis may be sent to DBSA, 730 N. Franklin Street, Suite 501, Chicago, IL 60610. www.dbsalliance.org.
