Robert "Bob" Wendell KIRKPATRICK

1943 - 2025

KIRKPATRICK, Robert "Bob" Wendell Aug 22, 1943 - Dec 2, 2025 A bright light ended with the sudden passing of Robert Wendell "Bob" Kirkpatrick on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Bob was an active member of the Spokane community that he loved. Since 1977, he ran every Bloomsday but two. He was recently active in both the Emmanuel Presbyterian Church choir and the Contraband brass band. He previously attended Manito Presbyterian Church and was active in the choir and instrumental music. He was a past member of the Lilac City Community Band as well as the Spokane Symphony Chorale and volunteered for the Spokane Symphony Associates. Bob was born in Burundi, Africa, where his parents, Virgil Kirkpatrick and Faye Craig Kirkpatrick were missionaries. The family would return to the US, periodically, to visit their supporters and family in Mansfield, Ohio. Bob attended Rift Valley Academy in Kenya for most of his secondary school and graduated from Mansfield High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Electrical Engineering in 1975 from Ohio State University, using one of the country's earliest computers. He chose a job in Spokane after finishing his degree, where he enjoyed the beautiful, sweeping landscapes and access to outdoor adventures. He was a past member of the Spokane Mountaineers and liked hiking and volunteering with trail groups including Friends of the Bluff and Dishman Hills Conservancy. Often, one of the last to leave a social gathering, Bob loved people and was known for his cheerful, warm greetings and positive disposition. He loved God and lived his Christian faith, volunteering for organizations like Big Brothers and Meals on Wheels. He adored his family and was a devoted father and grandfather, faithfully attending his children's and grandchildren's events and taking them on fun adventures. Bob is survived by his wife of 37 years, Mary Ostrem Kirkpatrick, his brother Charles "Tim" Kirkpatrick (Pat), daughters Monica Carr (Phil), Cynthia Tasaki (Chikara), and Marilee Bailey, step-son, Eric Fehr (Elin), step-daughter Jill Payette (Marc Corney), as well as 13 grandchildren, Patrick Bailey, Bryanna Bailey, Marissa Bailey, Kayleen Archibald (Scott), Phillip Carr, Emily Thomas (Nicholas), Sarah Toombs (Silas), Benichiro Tasaki, Sayuri Tasaki, Amanda Fehr, Heidi Fehr, Lane Payette, Ruby Payette and sister-in-law Martha Kirkpatrick. He was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Faye Craig Kirkpatrick, two brothers, Donald Kirkpatrick (Dee) and Virgil "Jim" Kirkpatrick, and a sister, Marilyn Kirkpatrick. Bob's memorial service will be held at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, 1926 W Chelan Ave, Spokane, WA, on Saturday, December 13, 2025 - visitation at 10:30 am -service at 11:00 am with a reception to follow. The burial will be at 2:00 pm at Queen of Peace Cemetery, 6910 S Ben Burr Rd, Spokane, WA. Livestream link to be on Heritage Funeral Home obituary.