One day last week (Nov 2024), I’m sorry to share that my dearest Dad, Bob Irwin, died. He died peacefully with his wife holding his hand and family by his side. Exactly as he wanted.
He enjoyed every day he lived including 65 incredible years with my Mom, the love of his life. I am grateful for each moment I spent with him.
He loved intensely and unconditionally. He was a man of deep faith.
On November 11, he attended a party where he was honored on Veterans Day.
It has been 24 months since we received a formal medical diagnosis of dementia.
We consciously decided to embrace every change and enjoy being with my Dad no matter what. This allowed us to participate in his conversations about events happening in reality and those that were only in his mind. He walked and talked and owned his life until his last breath.
My Mom was with him every day through the challenges of these past two years. They laughed and cried, sang and danced, and reminisced about the peaks and valleys of their lives. They spent incredible amounts of time with their three kids, the grandchildren and the great grandchildren. Dad had regular visits with his brother and friends, both new and old. They went to weddings, funerals, and church. They went boating, fishing, and golfing. They went to the beach and had numerous picnics in the park.
Dad was proud of us, his kids. He often told us how much he loved us. He was always on our side.
Dad loved taking selfies and talking on FaceTime. He told us jokes and winked to make sure we caught it. He loved getting a haircut and eating a hot dog. He often said he could go for a cold Pepsi.
We were blessed that he was active and interested and opinionated until the very end. He knew his family and he appreciated every person who cared for him.
Dad said when he was gone, we should cry…but just a little.
That’s my Dad.
Kelley Irwin 
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