June 4, 2020 at 2:48 p.m.
Former colleagues remember George Kirby
Former colleagues remember George Kirby
Kirby, who represented District 1, served on the council for eight years and was council president for four.
Former city attorney Phil Parkinson said Kirby was "a decent and honest person" who was dedicated to the community.
"I was saddened to hear of George's passing," Parkinson wrote in an email to the River News. "I knew him as a decent and honest person who gave an extraordinary amount of time to serve his community. He always acted in a manner that was straight forward and in the best interests of the citizens. His friendly face and positive attitude were a welcome sight in City Hall. In my experience, there are not many people of his quality and dedication that served like he did. In addition to local government, I am sure he will be missed by many friends and relatives."
Current City Council president Ryan Rossing also referenced Kirby's passion for the city and his efforts to make it a better place.
"I was saddened to hear of the loss of George Kirby," Rossing wrote. "George was a strong, well respected member of the Rhinelander community. He was passionate about the City of Rhinelander, and worked hard to make our community a better place. The last time I spoke to him, I didn't know it would be the last time. It was at the end of our council meeting in early 2020. George came up to me at the end of the meeting, and indicated that he was going to be heading south, to vacation. He looked at me and said, 'Hang in there.' It was a good conversation, and one that I will always remember. I'm thankful to have known him, and to have served with him on the Rhinelander City Council. George Kirby will be greatly missed."
Current District 1 alderman Tom Barnett offered his condolences.
"It is with sadness to hear the passing of my predecessor," Barnett wrote in an email to the River News. "His commitment to the City of Rhinelander is admirable. I pray for peace to find his family during this difficult time."
Former alderperson Dawn Rog served alongside Kirby for several years and considered him a personal friend.
"George was a dear friend to all who were fortunate enough to know him personally, and our family was lucky to have been among them," she wrote in an email to the River News. "A long-time and very successful downtown businessman who knew just about everybody in town and across the Northwoods, George was well-known and beloved for his outgoing yet humble character, the distinguished way he carried himself, and his penchant for being among the best-dressed men everywhere he went. As an elected local government official, George was a towering proponent for governmental honesty, transparency, responsible spending, accountability to constituents, and so much more to be admired. Unfortunately, his way of practicing local governance with such integrity fell out of favor in his last year or so when new government officials drew a different course for the city, which included branding the much beloved Mr. Kirby as an adversary of the City. How sad and misplaced that was to see. In spite of those recent matters, the overwhelming majority of us Hodags who truly knew George will continue to recognize and appreciate the selfless contributions he gave to this community and its citizenry over a lifetime of excellence in everything he did. He is already dearly missed by so many."
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