Dr. Christopher “Kirk” Newkirk Sheap passed away from acute liver failure on Sunday, November 17, 2024, in Richmond, VA surrounded by his beloved wife Norma and five children. Born April 14, 1945, in Richmond, VA, to Donald and Rose Sheap, Kirk was highly respected throughout the Shenandoah Valley and beyond for his dedication to his patients, community organizations, charities, and his family.

Kirk graduated from James Blair High School (Williamsburg, VA) in 1963, The University of Virginia in 1967, and the Medical College of Virginia in 1971. He remained a devoted Virginia fan throughout his entire life and was honored by the Virginia Student Athletic Foundation in 2014 for his 40 years of consecutive contributions. Upon completing an internship at MCV, Kirk completed his Dermatology residency at the University of Virginia Hospital in 1975 and served in the U.S. Army from 1975 to 1977 (stationed in Mannheim, Germany). He then began to practice in Harrisonburg in 1977, where he educated many patients on the ABCDEs of skin cancer screening and was credited with saving multiple lives.

In addition to his bustling medical practice, Kirk stayed busy throughout his life in the Shenandoah Valley and was an active member of the Elks, Masons, Shriners, Scottish Rite, American Legion, American Cancer Society and Rotary. In his later years, Kirk built on his long passion for genealogy and family history by becoming an active member in the Fort Harrison chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, serving as an officer at both the chapter and state levels and donning colonial-era attire to participate in a multitude of ceremonies. Kirk was also an active member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church for over 45 years, frequently assisting in services as a Lector and serving as a member of the Vestry.

Kirk was devoted to his wife Norma Jean McNair Sheap, whom he married just over 55 years ago on August 2, 1969. Their marriage survived the true tests of their shared love of travel, including cross-country road trips and many journeys to celebrate Kirk’s Canadian heritage. He is survived by Norma and their five children, Stephanie Fox (Andy) of Virginia Beach, Anne Nowak (Paul) of Chesapeake, Jennifer Spence (William) of Chesapeake, Chris Sheap of Washington DC, and Kathleen Smith (Derek) of Palmyra. Kirk was also a much-loved Grandpa/Poohpa/Opa of his eight grandchildren, Caroline and Matthew Fox, Cole Briggs, Liam Spence, Lily and Abby Nowak, and Andrew and Emily Smith. They will all miss his classic grandfather “snorts”. Hawkeye the cat and Clooney the basset hound will miss the stream of treats Kirk snuck to them whenever Norma wasn’t looking. He is also survived by sister-in-law Kathryn Sheap, sister-in-law Diane Norris, brother-in-law Walter McNair, brother-in-law Donald McNair (Alice), two nieces Susan Dunn (Lexi) and Townley Sheap, and two great-nieces. Kirk was predeceased by his parents, his brother Donald Sheap, and a niece, Courtney Sheap.

The Sheap family will welcome visitors from 6 to 8 p.m., on Sunday, December 1, 2024, at Kyger Funeral Home Harrisonburg. Visitation will begin after Masonic Rites at 6 p.m. A funeral service will follow on Monday, December 2, 2024, at 11 a.m., at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Harrisonburg, VA with The Reverend David Rose officiating. The family sends special thanks to the staff at Augusta Health, VCU Health, and Cyndi Smith for their support and help.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital c/o Ken Hoes, 3680 Taylor Spring Lane, Rockingham, VA 22801 or Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 660 S. Main St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801.