Obituary of Robert-Earl Kirkwood

Robert Earl Kirkwood Robert Earl Kirkwood, age 84, of Ithaca, N.Y., passed away on Sunday April 13, 2014. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Johanna; brother, Kenyon of Santa Barbara, Calif.; and parents, Cecil and Lillian Kirkwood. He is survived by his sons, James C. Kirkwood and wife Kim of Lansing, N.Y. and Robert L. Kirkwood and wife Virginia of Wilmington, Del.; and grandchildren, Justin, Jeffrey, Anna and Mathew of Lansing and Caroline and Colleen of Wilmington; and several nieces and nephews. Born on Nov. 28, 1929, in Prescott, Ariz., Bob attended Redford High School in Detroit, Mich. and graduated from Michigan State University. He proudly served in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of the Korean War. Following college, Bob worked for Ford Motor Company and in 1967 moved from Detroit to Rochester to join Xerox Corporation, from where he retired in 1992. A dedicated husband, father and grandfather, he was always in the audience and involved in his boys' school and sporting events and in recent years loved to watch his grandchildren perform on the stage and on the playing field. The highlight of every year was the annual family vacation at the cottage on Lake Michigan that was built by Bob's father in 1963. An avid golfer, with two holes-in-one to his credit, Bob thoroughly enjoyed his time on the golf course whether it was with his family or with one of his regular foursomes in Pittsford, Michigan or Florida. His passion for many years was as a runner, routinely achieving over 20 miles a week. A life-long MSU Spartan fan, Bob cherished the friendships he made at the Theta Chi fraternity house and the lifelong relationships they all maintained through their winers and diners club. A burial service will take place in June. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Hospicare and Palliative Care Services of Tompkins County, 172 E King St., Ithaca, NY 14850.