Illar Sirk

Illar Sirk, Ph. D., age 91, passed away May 13, 2020, in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Born August 21, 1928, in Riga, Latvia, to the late Linda Lespa Sirk, a concert pianist in Latvia and music therapist in Lincoln, and August Leopold Sirk, an architect and WWI hero in Latvia who was honored for his valor.

He is survived by his older sister Aino Sirk Hunter, Waldorf, Maryland; his younger brother Harry (Linda), Pasadena, California; and his beloved children, Caroline Vaudemont Douy (Arnaud), France; Leo Cyr Sirk (Elizabeth), Arizona; Cyril August Sirk, California; and Astrid Elizabeth Cuthbertson (Joshua), Florida. His grandchildren are Alexandre Douy, Devin Levi Sirk, Eric Sirk, Deacon Cuthbertson and David Cuthbertson.

Illar received a scholarship as a Displaced Person and graduated from the University of Nebraska in Architecture in 1955. After two years in the U.S. Army, he worked in various design positions, including for Leo A. Daly Co. as the designer for the Omaha Airport Terminal Complex, Lewis and Clark Jr. High, Creighton's Library and Business Admin Building and the Swanson Office Building. Illar was fluent in seven languages for his life and work around the world. He also supervised over 30 Peace Corps Volunteer architects in Tunisia. During his final years, Illar was appreciative of the care and attention he received by the wonderful staff in Lincoln at Orchard Park, Homestead Nursing Home, Hospice Community Care of Nebraska and his wonderful guardian, Cindy Hadsell. His funeral arrangements were handled by Chapel of Memories, Omaha. Inurnment will be in Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln.