Dick Kirby

[proturkeyhntr]

I just got off the phone with Ernie Calandrelli and confirmed that Dick Kirby has had complications with a back surgery and is in a coma. Please everyone pray for Dick and the Kirby family in their time of need...

s.e.

[TrophyTracker]

I second that.


Here is a letter from Chris Kirby on Dick's condition



Dear Friends,

Friday August 27 my Dad went in for a scheduled lower back surgery for spinal compression issues. The spine surgery went extremely well and the Doctor was very pleased with the results.

Dad was moved to post-op recovery room where he came out of anesthesia well, moving all limbs talking with nurses etc. He was experiencing normal recovery pain issues. My wife (Michelle) went to check on him and found him to be recovering normally, our Surgeon then checked on him and he was alert talking and functioning normally, for a recovering patient. He was experiencing pain, but was able to pull himself up in bed to adjust.

Shortly after our Doctor left, Dad was administered an additional medication by the Doctor in the Post-op ward, which caused complications. Dad went into Respiratory Arrest and the brain was without oxygen for a short period of time. Dads heart never stopped and he was placed on a respirator immediately.

Currently he is unconscious. Dad is breathing on his own and with the exception of the brain, all body functions are operating normally. In the past two days he has made incremental, but positive progressions. He responds by moving his legs as we pinch his big toe on both legs. That is exceptional news; it means both sides of his brain are functioning.

We will not know the extent of the damage, if any, until he wakes up. It is our prayer and anticipation that Dad will wake up and want to head to woods immediately. This could take minutes, days, weeks or months. Dad is receiving the best possible care and all efforts are being exhausted to insure a fast and successful recovery!

As much as we would like to talk to each of you personally, we ask that you hold off as this is a very fluid situation that changes often. We will keep you informed as things progress.

My Dad built his family on the rock solid foundation of Faith in God. Our families’ foundation is Rock Solid and unwavering! Dad is in Gods hands and we humbly ask you to pray for his speedy and healthy recovery.



Sincerely,

Chris

[strutzonevermont]

The Kirbys are in our prayers, and we pray for a speedy recovery for Dick.

[palmettoswamp]

We will keep Dick Kirby and his family in our prayers...I hope for a speedy recovery.

[FlHunter23]

Sorry to hear that. Hope he gets well soon.

[TrophyTracker]

Here is an update from Chris



September 10, 2010

Friends;

On behalf of our entire family I humbly thank each and every one of you for the overwhelming outpouring of support, thought, tears and prayers as we tackle this challenge.

Please understand that this is a very slow and deliberate process. As Sportsmen and women and children, we are taught to be patient in the woods. That lesson is never more challenged then right here right now. We ask for your patience.

As a result of the Post Operative event (Dad suffering Respiratory Arrest), Dad is in a Deep Coma. Heart, liver, kidneys are all functioning normally. He is on a Ventilator, however he is able to breathe on his own for periods of time.

Upon reviewing the event, it has been determined that Dad was in Respiratory Arrest for a significant period of time. This significant period of time, where his brain was without oxygen, has caused significant damage to his brain. We will not know the extent of the damage until or if he wakes up. Rest assured that he is receiving round the clock impeccable care! Anything and everything that can be done, is being done.

There are lots of questions we all have, and with patience, faith and time the answers will come. Unfortunately, the answers to most questions are “We don’t know”. Answers will come with patience prayer and time.

Mom is doing well. Scott, Rebecca and I, all of us are shocked and stunned as a result of this event. The Bible teaches us that He will only challenge you with what he knows you can handle. We got this!! God is on our side, as we walk the path he has chosen for us, answers will come and we don’t question His reasons. There is a greater good ahead, for all of us!

Again, I can not thank you enough for the prayers and support. We ask for your patience as this tragic event unfolds. I pray that each of you will experience the comfort that comes with knowing, without a shadow of a doubt, that God is in complete control and all things happen by his grace.

Sincerely,

Christian

[witrkytalker]

Im so sorry to hear this about Dick. My prayers go out for him and his family.

[orderv]

god bless speedy recovery

[TrophyTracker]

Friends, I regret to inform you that Dick Kirby has passed away. It is a great loss to the outdoor community, and the world in general. He will be missed. Here is an official release from Dick's son Chris:


October 1, 2010

Our prayers for comfort and peace have been answered. Last evening Dad went peacefully to his final roosting place in Heaven. The comfort he leaves us with, knowing we will all meet again in Heaven is overwhelming!

I respectfully thank you for your thoughts and prayers through this humbling event. Mom, Scott, Rebecca, Michelle and I are doing well. Rebecca’s’ children (Gabe, Gwyen and Eli) will miss the time they lost with their Pappa as we all will. We move ahead with great anticipation for the opportunities God gives us.

Dad, the greatest Christian Solider I know has been called home to heaven, for that we are grateful. We are thankful for time here on earth with him and for all that he has taught and provided for us. Through Christ, we will all meet again; for that we are humbled!

A day of Celebration is planned for October 5, 2010 at 1:00. Hamburg Wesleyan Church, 4999 McKinley Parkway, Hamburg NY, 14075, 716-649-6335.We will receive guest 30 minutes prior and 1 hour after the Celebration.

In lieu of flowers, we are requesting donation be made in Dads name to one of the following:

Base Camp at Hamburg Wesleyan Church- This is a program for kids, one that Dads grandchildren will be part of for years to come.

Hamburg Wesleyan Church
Base Camp / Dick Kirby
4999 McKinley Parkway
Hamburg, NY 14075

Or,

JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge Ethics and Safety)

National Wild Turkey Federation
JAKES Program / Dick Kirby
PO Box 530
Edgefield, SC 29824

Again, on behalf of the entire family, I thank you for your thoughts, prayers and support!

Christian

[FlHunter23]

Sorry to hear that. He has made his mark in time and will be remembered forever.

[strutzonevermont]

It is with heavy heart that I send this. We all lost a great man with the passing of Dick Kirby. He was a great friend to all who met him and a very big part of my turkey hunting passion. He will be greatly missed and always remembered. All our prayers go out to his family and people who work for and with him. I say THANK YOU Dick for the turkey hunting passion I got from him. Your friend Walt

[palmettoswamp]

RIP Mr. Dick Kirby:(

[strutzonevermont]

I ask everyone today (Oct.5) to please take a moment to remember Dick Kirby. I will do so at 1:00 pm with a moment of silents and then one of Dick favorite sounds, the GOBBLE of a spring gobbler. I will use a custom boxcall that Dick made for me to make this gobble. Dick will be always remembered and never forgotten with me. Goodbye our friend :(

[shaman]

Dick, you're going to be with me until I follow you into The Beyond. Thanks for getting me into turkey hunting.

[palmettoswamp]

Legends never die and are never forgotten. He will be with us all during the spring of 2011.

[darkstorm557]

No loss but a gain of his knowledge, ways and tactics that he left behind. Mr. Kirby you will always live in my life and many more lives to come !!! Will see you on roost some day !!!

[proturkeyhntr]

I was eleven years old and had sent, what I thought was a defective call, back to QB. Nevermind the fact the I had ran the call for six months, for several hours a day....:o

I returned home from school that day with turkey season a week away. Laying on my bed was a small box with a Quaker Boy label on it. Estatic, I ripped open the box to find 10 mouth calls 2ea-pro triple, old boss hen, kee kee, twin II and the "old turk". Along with the calls a QB hat and a hand written letter from Dick, apologizing for my dissatisfaction with their product. That was the way Dick was and the way he treated people. A true testament of his integrity and character.


His legacy will never be forgotten. Dick was one of the founding forefathers of the modern day turkey call. He will be greatly missed, but his legend will live on..

RIP Dick......

S.E.

[witrkytalker]

My Deepest sympathy to Dicks family. His passion for Turkey HUnting and Turkey calling was clear when you talked to him or watched him on video.
Without people like Dick in the early years Turkey Hunting and Turkey calling and Turkey calls wouldnt be what they are today.
R.I.P. Dick you will be missed but your legend will live on forever.

[strutzonevermont]

Very nice story Scott. Anyone else have a story to share with us about Dick? I will post when more time allows.