Robert (Bob) Hunter Kirby

Robert Hunter Kirby passed away peacefully April 16, 2024, possibly in a cunning ploy to avoid deciding for whom to vote in the 2024 elections.  

Robert (Bob) was born November 23, 1932, in Rigby, Idaho.  His father worked for the Utah and Idaho Sugar Company.  The family moved several times in his youth, ending up in Garland, Utah.

Bob met his wife, Anna McCulley, while working summers in Yellowstone National Park.  They were married in the Logan temple.  Bob served in the US Army as a Specialist 5 at Fort Devans, Massachusetts.  He was assigned to teach but was also involved in translation of backlogged German communications intercepted during World War 2.

He later returned to Garland, where he and Anna had four children. He made practice runs with Drake, Jill and Joyce, finally getting it right with Brad. His love for his family was only surpassed by his love of his dogs.

Bob taught elementary school for 25 years. He ran a small engines business and a modest farm.  He was an influential teacher whose curriculum included not only the basics, but also fixing lawn mower engines, building go-carts, and launching model rockets every year.  

He was a man of many talents, which included plumbing, mechanics, electrical wiring, history and farming.  He received his Bachelor of Education from BYU and his Master of Education from USU. He advocated for and provided a higher level of education for all his children.

He was a stern father with high expectations.  However, at the birth of his first grandchild, he was abducted by aliens and replaced with a clone that was patient, kind and loved nonsense.  His grandchildren fondly remember hunting for the Cabooligan with him.  He had a special connection with Santa through his satellite dish and helped everything on his grandchildren’s list show up on Christmas morning.

He was an inspiration to his grandchildren as he recounted many “deeds of daring” from his younger days.   These included battling a flood in Idaho, secret army missions to Chile and Tasmania, and an ill-fated expedition into the crater of Mount Kilimanjaro from which he barely escaped.

He loved to hunt, fish, and garden.  He enjoyed Sunday drives, and sometimes he and the dog would let his wife or children join them.  He was a regular viewer of the 5:30 news and often practiced his “Italian” during the broadcast. He laughed uncontrollably at Carol Burnett and the Pink Panther and cheered for Ebeneezer Scrooge in any adaptation of a Christmas Carol.  His favorite sports teams were BYU and anyone who beat the University of Utah.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Anna and his siblings Martha Ann, Harriett, Bessie, Madge, Reg, Rayda and Delsa.  He is survived by his dog, Lucky, as well as his four children, five grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and his siblings, Elaine Stoddard and Don Kirby.