Robert Kirby

1951 - 2023

Robert Kirby
June 17, 1951 - October 4, 2023
Bob passed away at home on October 4, 2023 following an all too brief battle with cancer. He was born on June 17, 1951 in Mitchell, South Dakota to Bernard and Rosemary Kirby. The family moved to California in 1957 and settled in El Cerrito. Bob attended St. Jerome's and St. Mary's High School, where he was a standout basketball player. In 1974, Bob graduated from San Jose State College with a B.A. in History. He continued his graduate studies at San Francisco State, majoring in Latin American History, with the goal of becoming a diplomat (or spy). Instead, he went into the office furniture business as a Sales Rep for Ferguson-Hildreth, and later, Johnston-Birkett. In the mid 1990's, he started his own company, Kirby Reps, and worked until his cancer diagnosis in June of 2023. Bob met his wife, Pam, through mutual friends in 1983 and they spent the next 40 years traveling the world. They also made yearly treks to Mendocino and Carmel for holidays and birthday celebrations. Bob especially loved Ireland, and they planned to return there in the near future. Bob loved all sports and enjoyed attending Cal football and basketball games in the past. He also had Oakland A's season tickets for 40 plus years. But his biggest love was golf and he played weekly with his golf buddies, Larry and John. Bob is survived by his loving wife, Pam, his mother Rosemary, Aunt Hazel, brothers and sisters-in-law Russ and Susan Cartwright, and Merrill and Barbara Waysack, nephew Dennis and his wife Natasha, his adored cat, Ollie, and his many cousins and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to his favorite charity, "Community Concern for Cats, " or better yet, adopt a rescue cat in his name. A memorial service will be held at St. Joseph Cemetery, 2540 Church Ln. San Pablo, CA 94806 on October 26th at 11:00 A.M.