Former legislator Frank Kloucek offers this eulogy for his former Capitol colleague, four-term District 15 Representative Patrick Allan Kirschman, who died on March 19 in Sioux Falls:
Representative Pat Kirschman set a goal to be a state legislator, and proudly achieved it. Pat served as a State Representative for 8 years and loved every minute. His seatmates included Ray Ring, four years, Dean Schrempp, two years, and Frank Kloucek, two years. Pat was a man of few words, and strong beliefs. He was very close to his parents, Bob and Rita. He loved his nephews and nieces, and loved to tell stories about their adventures.
Representative Patrick Kirschman
Pat spent endless hours registering voters, gathering petition signatures, and campaigning for Democratic candidates. Pat was awarded the George McGovern Grassroots Award for his strong involvement in Democratic politics. Pat made many friends with political giants in South Dakota and the nation: US Senator from Minnesota Paul Wellstone, State Senator Bernie Hunhoff, State Representative Mary Glenski, United State Senators from South Dakota Tim Johnson and Tom Daschle, United States Congresswoman from South Dakota Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin, South Dakota Federation of Labor AFL – CIO President Mark Anderson, Minnehaha County Treasurer Pam Nelson, and Sioux Falls City Councilors Kenny Anderson and Pat Starr.
Pat and his dad Bob would come to visit the Capitol, especially for the Labor Beer and Brat Feed. They stayed in my apartment on two-day adventures. One very, very cold winter morning the door to the apartment popped open and one foot of snow blew in. Due to the ground heaving in Pierre, ground level doors would often push open. Pat woke me up and he, his dad and I, all had a good laugh because the political doors flung open for Pat Kirschman!
Pat loved good food, a cold beverage, and community celebrations like Tabor Czech Days, Tabor Czech Days in Pierre, Freeman Scmeckfest, Sioux Falls German Fest, St Patrick’s day, and Bernie Hunhoff Barn parties. The Capitol AFL-Cio Labor Beer and Brat Feed remained a strong favorite. Pat stood strong on behalf of his labor union and his dad’s postal union.
Pat Kirschman loved to eat at the Fryin’ Pan, and have coffee with friends at Scheels.
Pat Kirschman stood for the everyday South Dakotan and lived a life of simplicity and South Dakota values. Pat you will be missed.
I had the pleasure of knowing Pat practically his whole life. We grew up on opposite sides of the same block in Sioux Falls. His father, Bob, was our letter carrier. Pat and his brother Mike were always part of whatever game the neighborhood was playing at that time of year. Later, I remember Pat and Mike working with their Dad at local football games serving as the “chain gang”. The last time I saw Pat was last summer when he thoughtfully attended my mother’s memorial service. He was a great friend.
In our adult years, I knew Pat as one of the hardest-working foot soldiers in local politics. He helped countless candidates gather petition signatures to qualify for the ballot and faithfully campaigned door-to-door on their behalf. He was often asked when he was going to become a candidate himself. “As soon as I retire,” was his constant reply and true to his word he did run for the Legislature and served there for 4 terms. At the time of his death, Pat was gathering signatures on a petition to run again for the legislature. Public service was in his heart until the day he died.
One of the memories I will always treasure was sitting with Pat and his Dad at a banquet in Aberdeen when Pat was honored with the prestigious “McGovern Grass Roots Award” by the SD Democratic Party. The award is presented every year but that year was special in several respects. That was the last “Jefferson-Jackson” banquet, as the name was then changed to “McGovern Day”. It was the first annual banquet that Senator McGovern attended in his home state following years of absence. It was a surprise for Pat to receive the award but it was most gratifying to see Senator McGovern present the award named for him to my friend Pat – in front of his very proud father. That was also Bob’s last year at the banquet as he passed away shortly thereafter.
It is a painful reality that comes with aging that we lose good friends. The only consolation is the pleasant memories we are left with – and there are many involving my friend Pat Kirschman.
Jim peterson
2020-04-08 20:41
I had the honor of serving with Pat. The Legislature would be a better place if everyone was as honest, pleasant, and tolerant as Pat. He stayed true to his pro-life believes and his support of labor unions. His modest demeanor was an example for fellow Legislators to emulate. Proud to have called him a friend, he will be missed.
Debbo
2020-04-09 00:09
Thanks for the eulogies. They are very kind reading.
I had the pleasure of knowing Pat practically his whole life. We grew up on opposite sides of the same block in Sioux Falls. His father, Bob, was our letter carrier. Pat and his brother Mike were always part of whatever game the neighborhood was playing at that time of year. Later, I remember Pat and Mike working with their Dad at local football games serving as the “chain gang”. The last time I saw Pat was last summer when he thoughtfully attended my mother’s memorial service. He was a great friend.
In our adult years, I knew Pat as one of the hardest-working foot soldiers in local politics. He helped countless candidates gather petition signatures to qualify for the ballot and faithfully campaigned door-to-door on their behalf. He was often asked when he was going to become a candidate himself. “As soon as I retire,” was his constant reply and true to his word he did run for the Legislature and served there for 4 terms. At the time of his death, Pat was gathering signatures on a petition to run again for the legislature. Public service was in his heart until the day he died.
One of the memories I will always treasure was sitting with Pat and his Dad at a banquet in Aberdeen when Pat was honored with the prestigious “McGovern Grass Roots Award” by the SD Democratic Party. The award is presented every year but that year was special in several respects. That was the last “Jefferson-Jackson” banquet, as the name was then changed to “McGovern Day”. It was the first annual banquet that Senator McGovern attended in his home state following years of absence. It was a surprise for Pat to receive the award but it was most gratifying to see Senator McGovern present the award named for him to my friend Pat – in front of his very proud father. That was also Bob’s last year at the banquet as he passed away shortly thereafter.
It is a painful reality that comes with aging that we lose good friends. The only consolation is the pleasant memories we are left with – and there are many involving my friend Pat Kirschman.
I had the honor of serving with Pat. The Legislature would be a better place if everyone was as honest, pleasant, and tolerant as Pat. He stayed true to his pro-life believes and his support of labor unions. His modest demeanor was an example for fellow Legislators to emulate. Proud to have called him a friend, he will be missed.
Thanks for the eulogies. They are very kind reading.