Kirke White Comstock passed away in Saratoga, CA on August 23, 2016 after a long illness. Born June 6, 1930 in Jackson, MI he was a long time resident of the Bay Area and active in city government in both Palo Alto and Portola Valley.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dorothy Brand Comstock, his son William L Comstock (Debra Nichols) of Carmel, CA, and daughters Karen Comstock of New Haven, CT and Kristin Pugh (Mark) of Los Gatos, CA.
Hired by United Airlines as an engineer in July 1954, he moved west with his wife to work at the Maintenance Operations Center in South San Francisco. Serving in the Interiors Department at United, he became an advocate for ADA changes to aircraft so that more people with disabilities could enjoy the freedom of air travel. According to his retiree colleagues he was also a recognized expert on safety. In all, he worked 45 years at United retiring in 1998.
Soon after moving to Palo Alto in 1956, he became interested in the stewardship for open space and residential growth plans in the city. Joining the Committee For Green Foothills in 1959 he then ran for and won a seat on the Palo Alto City Council in 1963. These were tumultuous times in the City and he was proud to be a voice for smart growth, preserving the Baylands, resources for seniors (Avenidas), bike lane development, opposition to the war in Vietnam and improving relations between Palo Alto and Stanford University. Serving 14 years on the City Council, he was also mayor from 1971-1974.
After retiring from United he returned to his love of local politics and joined the Portola Valley Town Council in 1999-2003 serving as Mayor of Town of Portola Valley in 2000. He worked hard on the projects for a new Town Library and the earthquake required rebuild of the Town government offices. He and Dorothy lived in Portola Valley Ranch until his illness required a higher level of care and in 2014 the moved to Saratoga Retirement Community.
A proud father, grandfather and uncle to many he will always be remembered as a man of ideas, compassion and an enthusiastic interest in the community around him.
A memorial service is being planned for later in 2016. In honor of his commitment to maintaining community open space, the family asks for any donations to be made to the Peninsula Open Space Trust Openspacetrust.org