On the evening of Earth Day, April 22, 1953, the spirit of Robert (Bob) E. Kirby III began his awesome journey here on Earth¹. Over the next 70 years Bob

would travel the globe, be educated abroad, climb many a mountain range, canoe many a river, and soaked up as many rays of sunshine the coasts of Florida could afford him. Late in the morning of May 9th, 2023, Bob decided that he preferred the views from the point of no return and departed this planet taking only his memories and leaving only his footprints.

Bob was always passionate about the Earth's care and appearance and with that as his focus he became a graduate of EKU², Master Gardener, and a past President of The Virginia Turfgrass Association. His craft was landscaping, something he loved to be doing always, and he left his mark across the east coast from the beautiful golf courses on the mountains of West Virginia, to the gorgeous locations in the Florida Panhandle.

Bob made Kathleen Harmon Kirby  his bride in July of 1977, The two enjoyed a very full life sharing the same wavelength and embarking on many adventures. Bob and Kathi explored their corner of the world with two beautiful children; Melanie Kristian was added to the journey log in Feb, 1978 and is now 45 years old, and "The Boy", Oliver Travis  was the noted addition in Oct, 1980 and is now 43. Bob was an incredible father, a loving and doting husband, and was adored by the people closest to him. Bob was survived by everyone still living on the planet and his wish³ for them is that they care for the Earth, she gives us life. In appreciation of this wish the family invites you to plant a tree anywhere you would like to see it grow

in leu of flowers or donate $1 to the non-profit group One Tree Planted.

No matter the method of exploration, and all in the name of self-education, preservation of the natural, and appreciation of the simple wonders found in the quiet spaces we are all guilty of missing, Bob was a journeyman with compass in one hand and binoculars in the other, believing as the great Chinese philosopher, Confucius, "Where ever you go, there you are" adding to the principle "and since this is the case, might as well leave less ignorant than you arrived".

A small exert from the family's favorite author and story teller, Terry Pratchett⁴, from *Soul Music

"Ride the horse"

"Where to?"

"That is not for me to know, and you to find out"

Fare thee well, voyager of our hearts, you will be forever missed.

Footnotes:

¹: Trusted to Robert E. Kirby Jr and his wife Mamie Kirby in Waynesboro, Va at around 5:16pm, EST.

²: Graduated 1976 Agriculture Master's Degree

³: Anyone sitting around a fire and toasting a drink to his name, he said to tell you not to forget the music...specifically

Wish You Were Here/Pink Floyd and/or See You On the Other Side/Ozzy Osborne ;)

⁴ :After several years of debate amongst the Kirby Clan, it has been agreed unanimously that "THE" starter book in the Pratchett Discworld collection is definitely...hell, just start somewhere they're all FANTASTIC