Robert Roy Kirby, MD

April 20, 1938 - April 21, 2022

Robert Roy Kirby, MD, Colonel, UASF, MC (Retired) of Gainesville, Florida died at his home on April 21, 2022 at the age of 84. Dr. Kirby lived a full and productive life, serving his country and his profession. Born to Dewey and Nadine (Burnham) Kirby, in Kansas City, Kansas on April 20, 1938. He was blessed with superior intellectual and analytical abilities and nurtured an insatiable interest in the field of anesthesia and critical care medicine. His was raised in Oakland, California. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of California Berkely in 1960, and his medical degree from the University of California San Francisco in 1964. He joined the US Air Force in 1964 as a Resident in anesthesia at Wilford Hall Medical Center. After completing his residency in 1968, he stayed on as a faculty member at the University of Florida Department of Anesthesia. While at Wilford Hall he was asked to serve on the Apollo 11 moon landing, but due to having to take his anesthesia medical boards that week he was unable to do so. However, he was asked again and was aboard the USS Hornet (pick-up ship) for the Apollo 12 mission (1969). In 1969 he participated in Texas Instrument research of the Doppler ultrasound for non-invasive blood pressure monitoring. This transformed blood pressure monitoring and other future ultrasound medical devices. In the early 1970’s he was instrumental in the research and development of ventilators specifically designed for children (initially called the Baby Bird since the Bird Corporation was heavily involved in the funding of this ventilator.) This revolutionized pediatric ventilation. Prior to the development of the Baby Bird, infants and children were ventilated using adult ventilators that had been modified. In 1970 he was reassigned to Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi serving as the Chairman of the Department of Anesthesia. He left the US Air Force to join the faculty at the University of Florida in 1972. While there he was a pioneer in the development of IMV (Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation), CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), and PEEP (Positive End Expiratory Pressure) which forever changed the way patients were ventilated and spurred interest in innovated ways to provide ventilatory support to future patients. In 1976 he moved his family to New Orleans where he became the first Chairman of the Department of Anesthesia at the newly built Tulane Medical Center which became a state-of-the-art hospital in New Orleans. In 1982 he re-enlisted in the US Air Force and moved to San Antonio, Texas. He retired from the US Air Force in 1985. He continued his professional career moving to Gainesville, Florida in 1985 to work in the Department of Anesthesia at Shands Hospital. Then in 1995 he become the Chairman of the Department of Anesthesia at the VA Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida. He remained in that role until his retirement in 2006. During his long and impressive career, he received many awards including: - Forest M. Bird Lifetime Scientific Achievement - Best Doctors in America, 2003 - Best Doctors in America, 2005 - Shubin-Well Award 1996 - Haven M. Perkins Award, 1994 - Navy Achievement Medal - Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster He was a member of many anesthesia and US Air Force organizations. He participated as an examiner for the anesthesia boards for several years. As a prolific author he wrote dozens of books and hundreds of articles related to anesthesia, airway management and critical care. He loved dogs and horses. But his passion was cars, mostly corvettes, NASCAR and drag racing. He influenced the lives of many doctors, nurses and others because of his humor, knowledge, thoughtfulness, and consideration. More importantly, he was a loving and caring father, supporting all his children in their pursuit of higher education. Dr. Robert Roy Kirby led a highly successful and rewarding life. He was preceded in death by Rita Kirby, his sister and Margret Engeron Kirby, his wife. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Anne Kirby Berne and her husband, Eric; son Christopher Robert Kirby, son Dr. David Scott Kirby and his wife, Laura, and son Robert Ross Kirby. In addition, he leaves five grandchildren: Cooper Berne, Karyssa and Addison Kirby, Caleb and Cole Kirby. Robert Roy Kirby will be cremated, according to his wishes. A celebration of his life will be scheduled sometime in the future. For those wishing to make a charitable donation, please consider a gift to Doctors Without Borders.