BOBBIE "BUFF" JEAN HIRKO (GLOVER)

Bobbie Jean "Buff" Hirko (Glover), 84, died on September 21, 2025, after a long bout with dementia.

An avid Michigan State Spartan fan and world traveler, Buff had a history surrounded by books. She started her education at Michigan State University and became a lifelong librarian after earning her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Japanese Studies and Library Science, respectively, from the University of California at Berkeley. Her career included stints in technology (AdLib) and libraries (Fairfield, CA and Geilenkirchen, Germany) before hitting her stride melding the two for the State of Washington, entertaining speaking engagements nationwide in person and on television.

Buff loved British mystery novels and traveled to London often. She attended Bouchercon mystery writer conferences for many years, inspiring her to write two books, "Deep Water" and "Cold Storage." Another of her passions was World War II history. Buff was raised in the coastal town of South Haven, Michigan, by her grandparents, Benjamin and Mabel Clark.

Her world travels included fondness of her time living and raising her children in the Netherlands. Later in life, she was a global explorer, with trips to the Beijing Olympics, Bulgaria, Iceland, Machu Picchu (Peru), New Zealand, and the Galapagos and Easter Islands. Buff also enjoyed her MSU Spartans, traveling to many football and basketball contests over the years - including two winning Rose Bowls.

She eventually settled in her self-designed cabin, the "Inkpad", at Lake Dawn on the border of Olympic National Park in Port Angeles, Washington in her final years. Buff is survived by her identical twin sons, Rhett Brian Hirko of Menifee, California and Scott Roy Hirko of Lansing, Michigan and her two grandchildren, Sierra Hirko of Boston, Massachusetts and Sage Hirko of East Lansing, Michigan. Her quick wit and sharpness of mind will be missed by all.

*A remembrance gathering is planned for November 8 in Port Angeles, WA. Email hirkobuff@gmail.com for details. Donations accepted for the Port Angeles Friends of the Library in her name - contact via friendsofthelibrarypa.org*