Leon Kirkland Semke

Kirk Semke, age 88, of Cary NC, passed away peacefully on May 21,2025 at the Searstone Retirement community. Born in Eugene Oregon on September 18,1936 to the late Leon and Pearl Semke, he was married to Lois Nowak Semke for 64 years.

Raised in Washougal Washington, in high school Kirk excelled in academics, football, basketball, track, and was senior class president. Kirk went on to earn a chemical engineering graduate from the University of Washington. He next accepted a full scholarship to the Institute of Paper Chemistry in Appleton, Wisconsin where he completed his Masters and PHD in paper chemistry. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Kirk worked in the pulp & paper industry his entire career. He began his career with Riegel Paper in Wilmington NC in 1963. In 1971, Riegel was acquired by Federal Paper Board Company after which Kirk was instrumental in the expansion of the mill and rose to the position of mill manager to lead the largest mill of its type in the world at that time.

In 1991, Kirk became Vice President of Technical Services with Federal Paper and moved from North Carolina to their corporate headquarters in New Jersey. In 1996, Federal was acquired by International Paper where Kirk continued in leadership roles retiring with 35 years of service. Upon retiring to Cary, Kirk continued his involvement in the pulp and paper industry working with and supporting the NC State Pulp and Paper school. Kirk and his wife established an endowed scholarship at NC State. He was an avid Carolina Panthers and NC State sports fan. He also enjoyed the Carolina Ballet and NC Symphony.

Kirk was preceded in death by his mother Pearl and father Leon. He is survived by his wife Lois of Cary, NC, son Scott (Jean Anne) of Winston-Salem, NC, son Todd (Stephanie) of Raleigh, NC, and daughter Lynn (Eric) of Wilmington, NC. He is also survived by his sister Sue Fox of Washougal, Wa, and nephew Chris Fox of Brooklyn NY, nine grandchildren (Sarah, Daniel, Hannah, Ryan, Grant, Carrie, Jared, Jack, and Erin) and two great grandchildren (Lucy and Caroline).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Searstone Residents Assistance Fund, 17001 Searstone Dr, Cary, NC 27513 (Attn: Joan DeBruin).