[Ed. note: Obit published as submitted, since Mr. Mescher would have wanted it that way.]

Kirk Travis Mescher, also known as “Señor Juan Pipe” to engineering nerds who think they’re funny, born to Wanda and Marvin Mescher on Feb. 8, 1956, kicked the bucket on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2015. He was 59.

A founding partner of CM Engineering in 1993, Kirk’s expertise in energy efficiency was recognized worldwide; he was universally acknowledged as a leading expert in geothermal design. His One Pipe™ system can be found in public buildings across the country; a gifted liar, Kirk often claimed his designs to be “so simple, it’s pathetic.” He was an active member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), where he chaired multiple committees, sat on the board of directors, was named a distinguished lecturer and drank a lot of wine. He received numerous awards for his service, mentored dozens and irritated all into loving him unconditionally. As Kirk would often say of his life: “He might not have been old … but at least he was ugly.”

He is survived by his wife, Kelly Klopfenstein Mescher and two daughters Kris and Kelsey Mescher, his mother, Wanda Mescher, brother and sister-in-law Doug and Della Mescher, sister and brother-in-law Jill and Tony Smith, as well as his nieces and nephews. He passed away from complications after a recent heart attack, unfortunately not in the hands of a jealous lover or a victorious, flaming car wreck, as he would have liked. An avid NASCAR fan and former dirt track champion, Kirk helped design and build some of current racer Carl Edwards Jr.’s earliest cars.

A celebration of Kirk’s life will be held at CM Engineering’s new location, recently awarded the Mayor’s Climate Protect Award (2801 Woodard Dr., Suite 105, Columbia, MO 65202) in the spring. For more information as it becomes available, see www.cmeng.com. In lieu of flowers, to honor Kirk and his life’s work, a scholarship in his name specific to the design of ground source heat pumps is being set up. If you wish to contribute to the endowment fund being established for this scholarship, please send your donation to the Kirk Mescher Scholarship Fund at Central Bank of Boone County. Online condolences can be left for the family at www.parkerfuneralservice.com.