Iconic Portland street performer, 'Workin' Kirk,' dies
Friends are planning a candlelight vigil for Reeves on Nov. 18 at 4 p.m.
It will be held under the Hawthorne Bridge.
PORTLAND, Ore. – You couldn't miss Kirk Reeves. He was the man who greeted thousands every day along the Hawthorne Bridge with his infectious smile, white tuxedo and Mickey Mouse hat.
Reeves, a well-known street performer in Portland known as 'Workin' Kirk,' passed away this weekend. Police later said that he was found at Bybee Lake in North Portland, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
It wasn't just Reeves' larger-than-life personality that would get plenty of attention as he sat by the ramp to the bridge. It was the sound of his trumpet that would have people smiling from ear to ear as they passed by.
Many of those motorists, bicyclists or pedestrians would hand Reeves the spare change they had on them or a dollar or two as they drove by. Some of those motorists expressed how the man with the smile made them feel as they drove by his spot on the bridge Wednesday.
"It made me happy because it made me feel I was a Portlander. He was such a Portland touchstone," said one woman.
"The guy was a good guy. Always in good spirits. (It's) definitely sad to see him go. I've seen him in this community for over 10 years," said another commuter.
Over the last couple of years David Carroll grew close to Reeves.
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"Ever since I've known Portland, I've known Kirk Reeves. He's actually more of a landmark than Powell's or Voodoo Doughnuts," Carroll said.
He said if Reeves wasn't at his usual spot on the bridge, it wouldn't take too long to find him.
"You could sort of just keep an ear open for a horn and you could go find him. He would be there because it was such a reliable thing that Kirk was around,” Carroll said.
As independent as Reeves was, he wasn't afraid to ask for a favor once in a while.
"He'd give us a mission to go get him a new slide whistle. He told us to go down to Finnegan's Toy Store and get him a new slide whistle because he was running out. And that was one of his key things," Carroll said.
Police have been trying to track down Reeves' family. A tip from the public helped them find his sister so she could be notified of his death. Anyone with further information about his family can call the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office at (971) 673-8220.
Funny how EVERYONE just loved him...but no one got him off his panhandling highway On-Ramp....
 @August100 That's because Kirk didn't want to! He wanted to make people happy. If they paid him, so much the better. He had other ways of getting money if he wanted to. Just look at how many people have posted here and elsewhere about how much they made them smile and stop and smell the roses. What a testament to great character! He felt rewarded simply in making other people (especially children) smile!
:( I used to pass by him when I'd use that bridge. I never did meet him, I wish his friends and family my sympathy, and may he rest in peace. We may never know what prompted him to take his life, but I hope that he is able to be in peace.
I knew him, he worked for me once. He had a very hard life and found it hard to survive.
I guess he just had enough.
Rest in peace friend.
 @apmargulies Driving by, I never would have guessed that he would have difficulty suriving, he always seemed so upbeat, I'll always remember him when I cross that bridge.Â
Kirk was a true renaissance man. He was so kind and compassionate towards others and so incredibly intelligent and misunderstood. I met him at Orycon (the sci fi/fantasy convention held in Portland) years ago where he regularly attended until his health started to affect his lifestyle. At Orycon, Kirk felt finally accepted and normal. Sadly, outside the safe walls of the convention (and even inside, sometimes), people can be quite cruel. I've seen Kirk ridiculed just as much as I've seen him praised. He will most certainly be missed in the Con community and as an established ambassador to downtown Portland. I hope he gets the peace and respect he deserves wherever he may go. He earned it. Godspeed, friend. You will not be forgotten.
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RIP sir, you found a niche in life that delighted thousands, you will be missed.
I used to listen to him play when he was near Powells bookstore.... haven't been there in sometime but I can still remember his smile and how he played no matter if it was day or night.Â
He is going to be so missed. Â The world needs more people like Kirk who make a difference in everyday life.
Beautiful smile. Beautiful spirit.
Greetings,
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I was the commuter who spoke of Reeves from the reporter.  I was in my company uniform and felt it was inappropriate to speak on that behalf. Now off Duty, Kirk Reeves simply tried to put a smile on faces of all ages every day.  The world needs more genuine people like him who are not a disturbance, but apart of Portland rich history of arts, music and expression.  Peace Be unto Kirk Reeves his family and I agree, with a Ghost trumpet being placed upon his perch on the Bridge.Â
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One Love,
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V. Harrison
 @Cente_ Beautiful post. Thx.
 @whirledworld  Thanks, from the heart!....... Friends will hold a candlelight vigil for Reeves on Nov. 18 at 4 p.m. starting near the west side of the Hawthorne Bridge. Heâll be remembered as a sweet man who was full of contradictions and honest about his suffering.
Rest in peace, Kirk. I agree fully that this city could afford to take a few thousand dollars out of the bike path budget and erect a small statue in his honor.
 @Riddler I agree with honoring him, but the dig at bicycle paths was wholly inappropriate.
He deserves a statue in his honor at the end of the bridge, holding a trumpet that plays a song on the hour.