Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

January 10, 2024

ROBERT LANHAM KIRBY

May 5, 1930 – January 10, 2024

Charlotte, North Carolina – Robert Lanham Kirby, beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2024.

A hero and role model for the ages, he touched many lives over decades with his warmth, humor, intelligence, compassion and generosity. Unfailingly courteous and humble, honest and loyal, he was a true gentleman who embodied decency and intergrity. To know him was to enjoy the rare pleasure of a first rate, class A human being.

A native of Ft. Worth, Texas, Bob grew up in Charlotte and was educated in Charlotte Public Schools, graduating from Old Central High School in 1947. He entered UNC-Chapel Hill in the fall of 1947 and met the love of his life, Jacqueline Sharpe, in 1950. He both graduated college and married Jackie in 1951, and served in the US Air Force from 1951-53.

After an early stint at Burlington Industries, he joined American Trust Company of Charlotte (forerunner of North Carolina National Bank) in 1956. He remained with NCNB in a variety of posts and retired in 1990 as President of NCNB National Bank of Florida, a forerunner of Bank of America.

Over the years in Charlotte, Burlington, Raleigh and Tampa, Bob served on numerous civic, community and corporate boards, including chairing the United Way drive in Charlotte in 1987. He was also instrumental in the formation of the original World Golf Hall of Fame in Pinehurst, NC in 1974.

During Bob’s life, he was a Baptist, an Episcopalian and a Presbyterian and was proud to have been a hybrid of all three. He enjoyed life to the fullest and entertained us with his wonderful sense of humor. He loved the beach, golf, Scotland, classical music, singing and the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle. But most of all, he loved his family and friends.

Bob is survived by his three children: Melissa Skiver (Bob), of Cary, NC, Lynne Kirby (Neil Sieling) of St. Paul, MN, and Robby Kirby (Jacquie) of Charlotte, NC; seven grand-children: Bonnie Gambardella (Doug), Lee Skiver (Kaitlyn), Susannah Skiver Barton (Sunjay), Lisa Walsh (CJ), Kathryn Rice (Adger), Davis Kirby (Emmy) and Francesca Sieling Kirby; step-grandchild Dietrich Sieling; twelve great-grand-children; beloved niece Heather Donovan (Pat); and beloved family friend Fran Snepp.

He is pre-deceased by his beloved wife Jacqueline Sharpe Kirby and sister Janice Magill.

Funeral services will be held at  2:00 PM on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at Myers Park United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends at the church following the service in Jubilee Hall. Interment will be private in Sharon Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for memorials to Hospice (anywhere) or KinderMourn in Charlotte.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.