Russell Tyler Kirbey

Russell Tyler Kirbey passed away unexpectedly on September 30, 2023, after just retiring from the Pacific Beach Postal Service where he had worked for 17 years.
He was born at the San Diego Naval Hospital, then moved with his parents, Russell W. and Marion L. (Wendel) Kirbey, to Groton, Connecticut, where his father trained for naval submarine service. After his brother Dwight and sister Dawna were born, his father retired from active Navy duty and the family moved to Ventura, California, where his sister Wendi was born. They then moved on to Glendale, California.
Tyler attended schools and Junior College in Glendale. He loved the outdoors, traveling, surfing, skiing, and the ocean. He was a Boy Scout, earning the rank of Eagle Scout.
He spent several years working as a crew member on a privately owned yacht and enjoyed traveling as far north as the Aleutian Islands and south to the Galapagos Islands. He had many stories from these trips.
In 2004, he moved from Glendale to San Diego.
His 17 years as a postal worker made him many close friends. He was a kind and caring man and lived a life of helping those he could.
Tyler had a special passion for helping animals -- especially homeless cats on his postal route. He adopted two cats and went down every morning and evening to feed the ones he couldn't bring home. He did volunteer work at a cat sanctuary, Shanti's House, that takes in feral cats and gives them a permanent home.
Since retiring, he was looking forward to being able to spend more quality time with his family and friends, volunteering at the animal shelter, and spending more time surfing, golfing, and skiing.
Tyler's life ended way too soon. But if a life is measured by its depth, not its length, Tyler's was full. He worked hard, had fun, sought out meaningful experiences, and lived fully. Most importantly, he loved his family and friends.
Tyler is survived by his mother, Marion (Wendel) Kirbey, his brother Dwight and his wife Gennie (Cruz) Kirbey, and his two sisters, Dawna Kirbey and Wendi Kirbey-York.
He will be missed by many. A memorial celebration of Tyler's life will be held on November 12, 2023 in Pacific Beach, California. Email dlkirbey@gmail.com for details.