Kirby Neil Bartlett, 63

Kirby Neil Bartlett, 63, a dear friend and confidant to many, passed on peacefully April 27, 2007, after a long and courageous struggle with cancer. Born Sept. 15, 1943, in Rensselaer, Ind., he grew up on the family farm in Brook, Ind., the middle son of three.

Kirby was preceded in death by his parents, Choice and Buss Bartlett and his older brother, Ronnie Bartlett.

He leaves his younger brother, Steve and his wife, Betsy; along with his nephew, Kyle Bartlett; grandnephew, Nathan; and niece, Heather Bartlett Costlow.

He graduated from Brook High School in 1961 and joined the U.S. Navy Oct. 11, 1965, receiving a rank of PN3 (personnnelman, third class) at Bainbridge, Md. Proud to be an 'Indiana farmboy', his roots in farming led to a keen desire for gardening and such pursuits as plant taxonomy studies. He received a degree in natural resources with a minor in biology and chemistry from Ball State University, Munice, Ind., in June 1974. After graduation and struck with a bit of wanderlust, Kirby toured the Pacific Northwest, living outside of Seattle for two years while attending a management training program for Bethlehem Steel. In the mid-'80s he was certified as a Montana nurseryman first class.

Montana became his real love, fueled by such passions as bicycling, cross country skiing and later, whitewater rafting. Kirby cultivated a large circle of equally passionate friends in the communities surrounding Glacier National Park. Well-known and respected for his ability to 'be there' when friends needed him the most, he gave freely of himself with a heart as big as his barrel-chested laughter revealed.

After working fro more than five years on a section gang for the railroad from Essex to Helena, Kirby retired to a quiet life in Martin City.

Kirby will be missed by many, from local canyon residents and his coffee klatch, to friends all across the country.

'We love you, Kirb!'