Life Story: Robert Kirschbaum
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The childhood memories of Bob Kirschbaum's two sons and daughter reveal how much he loved the outdoors and hockey.
"Growing up he was busy all the time. I mean, Dad was very antsy, always was, even in retirement," said Todd Kirschbaum, Bob's son. "When he didn't have things to do it drove him nuts."
He started coaching high school kids in Elk River's youth hockey league back in the late 1960s.
"We spent our winters at the hockey rink that was outside, on snow banks, either watching games or playing," said Liz Luebesmier, Bob's daughter.
His children say Bob spent so much time fishing that he nearly wore out his boats. He passed on his affection for fishing and camping to his kids and his grandchildren.
And as much as he loved Elk River, he enjoyed traveling to other parts of the country with his wife, LaVonne.
"One of the reasons he liked to travel was meeting different people," said Mark Kirschbaum, Bob's son. "I say he saw the United States through a windshield, because he drove."
His sons and daughter say they admired their dad's strong work ethic.
"He respected others and he did what he said he was going to do, which we don't get a lot of anymore," Todd said. "He always said, you know, 'You're only as good as your work, and if that's no good, nor are you.'"
As they look back at their father's volunteer work with youth and with Elk River's Lions Club, they appreciate how he juggled it all.
"As his community involvement kind of wound down, it was all about family with my dad," Liz said.
Bob Kirschbaum was 82 years old when he passed away last Friday.
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