Share this Tribute

Let the family know you
care by sharing this tributes.

Harold Kirkbride

Harold Kirkbride

Veterans Funeral Care Harold Kirkbride

Harold “Bob” Kirkbride, 74, of Clearwater, FL passed away on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 at home.

Bob was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Betty Brown and Deskin Miller and was adopted by Mildred Cusick Kirkbride and Harold Kirkbride.

He attended Breton Downs Elementary and Grand Rapids Catholic High school. Bob graduated from Central High School in 1958 and a joined the Navy in 1959. He was a Hospital Corpsman with the Navy, attached to the Marines and served in Vietnam. While serving he became an certified X-ray Technician.

He returned to Grand Rapids, MI, in 1968 and worked with his Father, Harold (Sandy) Kirkbride in Furniture Sales. He married and had three children and lived in Grand Rapids until 1975. He attended Grand Valley College for two years. He divorced, remarried and included two step children in his family in 1978. The following year he moved to Florida for a job change, continuing in Sales but in the boating industry. Leaving the boating industry in the 80’s he became involved in the Historical Restoration field and worked with Preservation Services. He was most proud of the historical restoration project on the Ringling Museum where he was a project manager. Bob’s final years brought him to work with West Marine, a job which he loved because he was a “people person”.

Florida became the place where he spent most of his boating, flying and motorcycling years. He became a pilot, owned his own plane, owned several boats over the years and too many motorcycles to count.  He was fierce about his Scottish heritage and was introduced to the St. Andrews Society and served as a board member for many years and finally served as President of the society for 2004 and 2005. He was a member of the Clearwater Sertoma Club and served as an officer and Board Member of the Island Yacht Club and the Sunset Grove Condominium Association.

Bob Loved…loved his planes, loved his boats, loved his motorcycles and even loved his cars and certainly last but not least his friends.

Most of all Bob loved his Children, Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and his wife. They were his heritage to the world.

Please sign the guestbook below.

This poem, written by Bob in 1994, is a beautiful description of how Bob felt about his life and death in his own words. We felt moved to share it with all that loved and cared for him.

SPIRIT KEEPER

When I have left, my body dead,

my spirit free to fly instead

of being bound to limits, flesh,

to be with you in new ways, fresh.

I ask you, “keep me in your heart”,

a little burden at the start.

Bear me lightly as you go,

and do the things in life loved so.

When you hold a loved one near,

hold me with you, hold me dear,

I will feel the love again,

you will feel my presence then.

As your children, born and grow,

see them through your eyes for my soul,

let me look a future true,

they will see my eyes in you.

In the morning when you wake,

your minds first thoughts, at day break,

think of me – of life renewed,

let me feel life course in you.

When you are out in God’s green world

with the trees and grasses swirled,

hold my spirit next to skin,

let me feel the wind again.

Free water, stream or ocean still,

boating, wading, as you will,

(my spirit loves the water so!),

please take me with you when you go,

And place your hand in water clear,

touch sand bottom, have no fear,

my spirits with you touching too,

I feel again, for I am you.

When the fancy strikes you right,

wear my Tartan, what a sight!

And hear the pipes and they will call

my spirit to you, standing tall.

When you’re with family, Kirkbride Clan,

bring me with you as I am,

a spirit, visiting with kin,

feeling families love again.

As you sit and talk of life,

of love and war, or peace and strife,

pause a moment, remember me,

tell a story, set me free!

Tell the children, tell the tale,

of their Grandpa Bob who loved so well,

the good things done, play down the bad,

to think of Grandpa should be glad.

All will feel me there with you,

will feel my spirit in you too.

I will live again in love,

will sit with you, not up above.

Harold Kirkbride

May 26, 1994

In lieu of flowers it was Bob’s wish that donations be made in his name to Hillsdale College.
33 East College St. 
Hillsdale, MI 49242
“Memo line” In memory of Harold Kirkbride

It has been decided that rather than having a memorial service, a personalized bench at Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, FL will be purchased in his honor. 

Bob took great joy in visiting the zoo. We hope that you will look for his bench when visiting the zoo in the years to come.

Leave a condolence

Email addresses will not be displayed on this site.

Call Now Button