Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)
60-and-over baseball
The oldest living TOT passed away peacefully at home on December 20, 2020.
Robert Emmet Kirby, 99, joined the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers back in 1984. Due to health issues, Robert hadn't taken his cuts at the old baseball for more than 30 years, but he was a regular at all the birthday get togethers, club luncheons and Christmas parties.
Kirby would have turned 100 on February 27, 2021.
Like many TOTS, Kirby lived an interesting life. Boy did he!
Bob grew up during the Great Depression. The second oldest in a family of 13. He left his home in Stowe Township, PA., and joined the army, stormed the Normandy Beach on D-day and battled through the major European campaigns. In 2013, he was awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal for his heroism.
While training for D-Day he met an English gal named Peggy. They were married six weeks later and adopted four children. Their romance lasted 46 years and Bob would go on to earn a B.S., M. S., and a Ph. D in Chemistry. He spent his career as a professor of chemistry at Queens College in New York.
After the loss of his first wife, Bob was fortunate to find a second love, Etsu Suzuki, and they spent 27 years together, traveling the world and enjoying every moment of their marriage.
And yes, the couple (see above photo) showed up in the bleachers at Udall Park on many occasions over the past 20 years and watched the Tucson Old Timers play the game of baseball. Ironically, Bob was even instrumental in helping Ken Nebesny, currently a member of the TOTS and a retired staff chemist at the University of Arizona, find his way to a successful career. Both men had a lot in common, despite the fact their age difference totaled 36 years. Bob Kirby, the professor of chemistry at Queens College and the young Nebesny, who grew up in da Bronx. Ken joined the TOTS in 2018, Kirby in 1984.
Photo: Ken Nebesny prior to a TOTS game in 2019 with Bob Kirby and Etsu.
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