Dr. Paul F. Gnirk, 86, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Jan. 29, 2024 at the Hospice House in Rapid City.

Paul was born May 16, 1937 in Burke, SD, the first of four sons born to Fred and Adeline (Graven) Gnirk. He grew up on the family farm outside of Burke that was homesteaded by his grandparents Gustav and Katherine Gnirk. He attended a one room schoolhouse for eight years. His drive to learn came from his parents and grandparents, who recognized the importance of formal education, even though their own was limited.

Paul graduated from Burke High School in May 1955. He attended South Dakota School of Mines & Technology and graduated with honors in 1959 with a degree in Mining Engineering.

He married Marilyn Rasmussen of Gregory, SD on August 9, 1957. They had three children, Brian, who died two days after birth, a daughter Erica Lynn, and a son Aaron Russell.

Paul entered Graduate School at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis in 1959, majoring in Rock Mechanics. He was awarded a PhD in 1966.

In the Fall of 1963, Paul began his teaching career in the Dept. of Mining Engineering at SDSM&T. He taught undergraduate and graduate courses in rock mechanics. He was appointed as the Director of the fledgling computer center and developed and taught the introductory computer course for Sophomores. In the Fall of 1965, Paul began as a Research Associate in the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering at Rice University in Houston, Texas. There he developed a rock mechanics laboratory and authored numerous technical publications.

Paul returned to Rapid City in 1967 and continued teaching in the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering at SDSM&T. In 1969, he received the first Standard Oil Foundation Good Teaching Award for a faculty member in the Division of Engineering at SDSM&T. In 1970, Paul was recognized as an Outstanding Educator of America.

In the spring of 1969 while still at SDSM&T, Paul led the start of a company that specialized in scientific and engineering research. RE/SPEC Inc. was incorporated in June 1969 and was awarded their first major contract in 1972. Paul was President of RE/SPEC from 1969-1991 and retired from RE/SPEC in 1993. During his time leading RE/SPEC he was involved in numerous large projects for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratory, Battelle Memorial Institute and the U. S. Dept of Energy, as well as for the Atomic Energy of Canada and the Swedish State Power Board.

In 1992, Paul created Table Top Ranch Inc. and went on to become a full-time rancher north of New Underwood, raising registered Longhorn cows and black Angus bulls until he was hospitalized in December 2023. While ranching, he also continued to serve SDSM&T and the State of SD, donating his time and expertise to a variety of projects and organizations.

In 1999, he was the recipient of the Guy E. March Medal Award at SDSM&T. In April 2007, Paul was recipient of the Mines Award for Outstanding Public Service and was confirmed by the SD Board of Regents as a Professor Emeritus in Mechanical Engineering at SDSM&T. In 2018 Paul was inducted into the SDSM&T Hardrocker Hall of Fame.

In September 2006, together with several community leaders, Paul initiated the Viewfield rural water-system project, and continued to participate in the development of the water system to its completion in 2011. The project supplies water from two deep-aquifer wells to some 70 ranches that encompass approximately 250 square miles of land located north of New Underwood, SD. Paul was appointed to the Board of Water & Natural Resources for South Dakota by Governor Rounds in 2009. He served on this board as their only engineer until he passed away.

In September 2022 Paul was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame, joining his mother Adeline S. Gnirk, who had been inducted in 1987 for her work authoring nine books on the history of south central South Dakota.

He is survived by his daughter Erica Hokanson (DeWayne), Newcastle, WY, his son Aaron Gnirk (Kansas City, MO), his brother, David Gnirk (Elaine), Burke, SD, grandchildren Daniel Peterson (Heather), Rapid City, SD, Kristina Paulson (David), Laramie, WY, Alexander Hokanson (Windy), Cheyenne, WY, eight great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins and a host of good friends. Paul was preceded in death by an infant son, his parents and grandparents, two brothers and two nephews

Through his life's work, leading by example and with love, Paul passed on to his children, grandchildren, family and countless others  the importance of higher education, hard work, dedication, perseverance, self-reliance and so much more.

His family will be forever grateful for the fullness of life that God gave Paul. The loss is immeasurable, but so is the love and legacy he left behind.

A graveside service will be held Friday, May 16 at 3 pm at Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD. A reception will follow at the Burke Community Center. Clausen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.