Robert Kirkland

Obituary of Robert Kirkland Robert "Bob" Kirkland passed away on Monday, February 8, 2016, joining his mother, Eurell Kirkland Blackmon and father, Mance Kirkland, and siblings, Sybil (John) Chalbeck, Hazel (Frank) Michyalik, Lowell (Betty) Kirkland, Earl Blackmon, Jr. (step-brother), and grandchildren, Kirk and Tristan. Born in Wauchula, Florida, on November 10, 1928, he moved as a child with his family to Leesburg, Florida. He attended the local schools, graduating from Leesburg High School in 1946. Shortly after graduating, Bob joined the US Navy, where he served for 20 years as an air traffic controller. He traveled abroad (serving in the Philippines and Italy) without ever having a tour of duty on a Navy ship (maybe because he always took his family with him). After retiring from the Navy, Bob attended Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, earning a BS in Education...no mean feat for a man that had been out of high school for over 20 years. Upon graduation, Bob received a call from a long-time friend telling him of a vacancy at Leesburg High School in the Industrial Arts Department. He was interviewed and hired, and he spent the next 20 years teaching various aspects of industrial arts (specializing in woodworking) to generations of young people. It's safe to say that there are many homes in Lake County that still have wooden fruit bowls, candle sconces, and other "Shop Projects" on display. After retiring from his second career, Bob spent his time building projects in his workshop, combing flea markets for unique tools, and riding around on his lawn tractor. He loved spending summers at the family cabin (Camp Wahnfried) in Maine where he helped create magical memories for two generations of Kirkland kids. Bob was very involved with the Leesburg Civitan and was no stranger to folks lining up at the BBQ cooker for a Civitan fundraiser. He also invested much time helping folks at his church and in the community. Bob loved to cook (and mess up the kitchen), and he was known for a variety of delicious cookies. He also loved Hawaiian shirts, peanut brittle, Westerns, Tom Clancy novels, cribbage, and McDonald's frappes. He hated orange juice. Bob is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mina, six Kirkland Kreations: Shirley (Cliff) Quinn (Victoria, BC), Robert Jr. (Kim) (New Gloucester, Maine), Edward (Nancy) (Eustis), Patrick (Clermont), Rebecca (Jon) Redding (Fruitland Park), and Scott (Susie) (Fruitland Park); fourteen grandchildren: Jimmy, Dennis, Amanda, Susan, Bobby, Ted, Jessica, Patrick Jr., Daniel, Sarah, Grace, Kitty, Maddy, and Knowlen; and six great-grandchildren: Westen, Luke, Charley, Max, Makenzie, and Carl Jr. A memorial service will be held at Beyer's Funeral Home in Leesburg on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 11:00 am. A Celebration of Life will follow at First Presbyterian Church on Lone Oak in Leesburg immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Leesburg Civitan in memory of Bob Kirkland...and maybe enjoy a chocolate chip cookie or two in his honor.

Robert Kirkland

November 10, 1928 - February 8, 2016