Will Kirkland

Will Kirkland

Cedar Rapids

Will Kirkland died peacefully, following a stroke on Jan. 5, 2023. A celebration of Will’s life will take place at a future date.

Will was born Aug. 8,1944, son of May and Bill Kirkland in Woodhull, Ill.

A lifetime learner, he was at home in the classrooms, labs and coffee shop of Mount Mercy University where he taught for 31 years, before retiring as Professor Emeritus in 2011.

Will explored his creative side during retirement and thoroughly enjoyed a second career as an artist. He was passionate about riding his bike (twice completing RAGBRAI). He loved his family and friends, coffee and rooting for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Will is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of 56 years, Susan Kirkland of Cedar Rapids, IA; their sons, Steve (Deb) of Ojai, Calif., and Marc (Ann) of Champaign, Ill.; and five grandchildren, Rebecca, Jesse, Benjamin, Mathias and Kaylee.

Memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association or Mount Mercy University.