Richard (Dick) Arthur Kirby

Richard (Dick) Arthur Kirby, 92, passed away peacefully at home on April 11, 2025, surrounded by family.

Born in Pasadena, California, in 1932, Dick was the eldest of three children born to Lillian W. (Strand) and Arthur J. Kirby. He graduated from Hollywood High School in 1951 and went on to earn an Associate’s degree from Pierce School of Agriculture and a Bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly in 1955. Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1956, Dick served in Germany during the Korean War.

While working in Riverside County, California, he met Judy Raby. They married in 1961 and built a life together, raising four children.

Dick later earned a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Michigan in 1970 and worked as a Sanitarian across California, Oregon, and Washington. In 1980, he and Judy became owners of an AAMCO Transmissions franchise in Longview, WA, which they successfully operated for more than two decades.

Dick was a man of many passions. He was an avid pilot, a rescue diver, a clock enthusiast, and a member of the Civil Air Patrol. He also enjoyed rental property management and was always eager for a new adventure—whether it was traveling, fishing, golfing, snowmobiling, or playing pickleball and racquetball. He loved dancing, especially with Delrae (Carroll), whom he met in 2017. They were together for 8 years, officially marrying in 2021.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Judy of 55 years, and his brother Doug. He is survived by his loving wife Delrae; sister Patricia; sons Mark Kirby (Rhonda) and Steven Kirby; daughters Linda Modderman (Rob) and Diane Brown (Mike); eight grandchildren—Shayna Waddell (Dale), Ryan Brown (Jen), Hayley Rotello (Joey), Daniele Schimmoeller (Tyler), Kylie Schulke (Max), Stefanie Stimans (Forrest), Brooke Modderman, and Gabriel Modderman; and two great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Richard’s life will be held at Steele Chapel, Longview Memorial Park, (5050 Mt Solo Rd, Longview WA 98632) on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 1 p.m.