Michael Richard Kirby

Michael Richard Kirby, 80, of Annapolis and formerly of Crofton passed away suddenly on Monday, January 27, 2025. His loving wife of 57 years, Carolyn Powell Kirby, was at his side. In addition to Carolyn, he is survived by his devoted daughter Lauren Kirby Winther-Hansen and her husband Kris, both of Annapolis.
Michael was born in Mount Holly, New Jersey in 1944. He left the area to attend Wake Forest College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, graduating with a B.A. in Political Science and an ROTC commission in the U.S. Army. He served in the Signal Corps in Vietnam, achieving the rank of Captain and receiving the Bronze Star and the Army Commendation Medal.
While at Wake Forest, Michael met his future wife Carolyn, who admired his beautiful smile and nicely starched shirts. They married in June 1967.
After his time in the Army, he went to work for the federal government and got a master's degree in government from George Washington University. During his 33 years of service at the IRS, Michael was particularly proud of the Congressional Affairs Program (CAP), which he developed and implemented. He retired from the IRS in November 2000 with a Commissioner's Award. Soon thereafter, he began work as a special assistant to the CFO of the District of Columbia, retiring in 2004.
Continuing his attachment to small but excellent colleges, Michael adopted the U.S. Naval Academy as his local favorite, cheering on the football and basketball teams for many years. He was a serious gardener, and for over 20 years he kept the courtyard garden at the Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre in bloom. He lovingly tended many house rabbits over the years, including his current and faithful sidekick, Beau. He loved Annapolis, travel, science fiction movies, Pacific Northwest floatplanes, and his family.
The extended family will gather in the early spring to celebrate his remarkable life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Anne Arundel County SPCA or the Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum.