David A. Kirst

David Alan Kirst, 87, of Billings, Montana, died from congestive heart failure on March 6, 2026.

David was born to Grace and Walter Kirst of Springfield, Missouri, on July 4, 1938.

David graduated from Purdue University with a degree in mechanical engineering. His first job was with the Boeing Company in Seattle, Washington, working on the Minuteman program. Later, he moved to Los Angeles to work for the railroad. While in Los Angeles, he met his wife, Julianne. They were married for 56 years and have one son, Michael Walter Kirst.

As boys in Springfield, David and his older brother, Gary, enjoyed building model airplanes and racing them in local competitions. David continued his love for airplanes by earning his private pilot’s license to fly small aircraft. Julianne can recall one harrowing flight into the Los Angeles Airport in a Cessna 2-seater when neophyte pilot, David, lined up for a landing too closely behind a Boeing jet. She can still hear the air traffic controller’s shouted warnings. David was an accomplished pianist and guitarist. He respected classical music but his favorite piece to play was Scott Joplin’s “Maple Leaf Rag.”

In 1981, after earning his Montana State Professional Engineer’s License, David started his own business, Kirst Engineering Company. He worked long days and travelled thousands of miles to make the Company prosperous. David was a kind and patient man and he used those attributes to guide his employees toward personal success in their career.

David needed emergency open-heart surgery in 2016 to repair a torn aorta. After an extended recovery, he returned to work. The following year his first granddaughter, Mabel, was born, and in 2020, his second granddaughter, Fay, arrived. David was so grateful that he survived his medical crisis and was able to be a grandfather to his beautiful granddaughters.

After selling Kirst Engineering in 2020, David retired. He then had time to enjoy his two favorite activities: shopping at Wal Mart and having the $1.50 hot dog and soda lunch at Costco.

David is predeceased by his parents and his brother, Gary. He is survived by his wife, Julianne; his son, Michael Walter (Marian); his sister, Carol Weber of Ames, Iowa (Eric); his niece, Clara Blauwiekel (Todd) of Shawnee, Kansas, and grandnephews, Theodore and Samuel; as well as numerous relatives by marriage in the Chicago area.

The David Kirst Family would like to thank the personnel of Billings Clinic, St. John’s Hospice and St. John’s Liggett Cottage for maintaining David’s dignity with their loving and professional care.

No services are pending. Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary and Crematory is in charge.