Official Obituary of
Robert Kirby
December 27, 1923 ~ December 11, 2014 (age 90) 90 Years Old
Robert Kirby Obituary
Robert E. "Bob" Kirby, age 90, of Watertown, SD passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at a local care center in Watertown.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, at the First Baptist Church in Watertown.
Rev. Greg Berkey and Rev. Bob Weiss will officiate.
Music will be provided by Beth Weiss, pianist, and Roy Hope, soloist.
The family is requested to meet at the church on Tuesday by 10:30 a.m. for a prayer service.
Visitation will be at Crawford Funeral Chapel in Watertown from 4-7 p.m. on Monday and in the church on Tuesday prior to the services.
Burial will be in the Prairie Hill Cemetery in Bradley, SD.
Military Honors will be conducted by Marine Corps League - Kampeska N.E. Det. #1079, Watertown, and Frank H. Adams Post #750 of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Watertown. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob's close friends and family.
Active pallbearers will be:
Brad Kirby, Kelsey Popham, Nathan Popham, Jim Kirby, Jeff Kirby, Erin Kirby, Sean Kirby, and Joe Amendt.
Bob was born on December 27, 1923, at Bradley, SD to Emmett and Nellie (Gates) Kirby.
He attended school in Bradley.
He enlisted and served during WWII in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1943-1945.
He attended Portland Poly Tech in Portland, OR and flight school at Frothinger Flight Service.
On February 8, 1948, Bob married DeLores Drake at Hazel, SD.
He worked at Swifts in Watertown and then from 1949 - 1968, he worked at the Watertown Cement Products until he went to work at Appleton Silo Company in Marshall, MN from 1968-1981.
He then worked at Norling Brothers Silo from 1981-1985 in Svea, MN and the Hanson Silo Company at Laverne, MN.
Bob served on the Watertown City Council as an Alderman in Ward B for eight years.
He was also coordinator of the Pro Bowl Rodeo and other rodeos at the Bob Kirby Arena.
Bob was an active member of the First Baptist Church, the American Legion, Marine Corps League, and the V.F.W. - 6th Defense Batt. of Midway Island.
He also served on the committee for the Bradley Alumni and was a former 4-H leader.
He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially the grandchildren and great-granddaughter.
He had a love for animals, especially horses, as well as for flying, and hunting.
He is survived by his wife, DeLores, of Watertown; his children:
Bradley Kirby of Watertown, SD and Tamra Popham of Hayti, SD; two grandchildren, Kelsey and Nathan Popham; one great-granddaughter, Sophia Gallardo Popham; two brothers, Merritt Kirby of Brookings and James (Jan) Kirby of Burnsville, MN; special friends, Joe and Jeni Amendt of Plymouth, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Audrey, Marge, and Ruth; and one son-in-law, Mike Popham.
When: December 15, 2014 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Crawford - Osthus Funeral Chapel, LLC. & Cremation
Address: 1311 4th St. NE Watertown, SD 57201
When: December 16, 2014 11:00am
Location: First Baptist Church
Address: 111 14th Ave NE Watertown , SD 57201
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, at the First Baptist Church in Watertown.
Rev. Greg Berkey and Rev. Bob Weiss will officiate.
Music will be provided by Beth Weiss, pianist, and Roy Hope, soloist.
The family is requested to meet at the church on Tuesday by 10:30 a.m. for a prayer service.
Visitation will be at Crawford Funeral Chapel in Watertown from 4-7 p.m. on Monday and in the church on Tuesday prior to the services.
Burial will be in the Prairie Hill Cemetery in Bradley, SD.
Military Honors will be conducted by Marine Corps League - Kampeska N.E. Det. #1079, Watertown, and Frank H. Adams Post #750 of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Watertown. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob's close friends and family.
Active pallbearers will be:
Brad Kirby, Kelsey Popham, Nathan Popham, Jim Kirby, Jeff Kirby, Erin Kirby, Sean Kirby, and Joe Amendt.
Bob was born on December 27, 1923, at Bradley, SD to Emmett and Nellie (Gates) Kirby.
He attended school in Bradley.
He enlisted and served during WWII in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1943-1945.
He attended Portland Poly Tech in Portland, OR and flight school at Frothinger Flight Service.
On February 8, 1948, Bob married DeLores Drake at Hazel, SD.
He worked at Swifts in Watertown and then from 1949 - 1968, he worked at the Watertown Cement Products until he went to work at Appleton Silo Company in Marshall, MN from 1968-1981.
He then worked at Norling Brothers Silo from 1981-1985 in Svea, MN and the Hanson Silo Company at Laverne, MN.
Bob served on the Watertown City Council as an Alderman in Ward B for eight years.
He was also coordinator of the Pro Bowl Rodeo and other rodeos at the Bob Kirby Arena.
Bob was an active member of the First Baptist Church, the American Legion, Marine Corps League, and the V.F.W. - 6th Defense Batt. of Midway Island.
He also served on the committee for the Bradley Alumni and was a former 4-H leader.
He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially the grandchildren and great-granddaughter.
He had a love for animals, especially horses, as well as for flying, and hunting.
He is survived by his wife, DeLores, of Watertown; his children:
Bradley Kirby of Watertown, SD and Tamra Popham of Hayti, SD; two grandchildren, Kelsey and Nathan Popham; one great-granddaughter, Sophia Gallardo Popham; two brothers, Merritt Kirby of Brookings and James (Jan) Kirby of Burnsville, MN; special friends, Joe and Jeni Amendt of Plymouth, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Audrey, Marge, and Ruth; and one son-in-law, Mike Popham.
Service Details.
Visitation
When: December 15, 2014 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Crawford - Osthus Funeral Chapel, LLC. & Cremation
Service
sAddress: 1311 4th St. NE Watertown, SD 57201
Service
When: December 16, 2014 11:00am
Location: First Baptist Church
Address: 111 14th Ave NE Watertown , SD 57201
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Robert Kirby
December 27, 1923-December 11, 2014
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