Community remembers Kirby as a benefactor to Auburn

It's hard to find a person in Auburn who doesn't have some sort of connection to Mayor Bill Kirby. Kirby, who died in a plane crash Saturday morning, is being remembered this week for his contributions to the city, which went well beyond his day job as a urologist and serving as a city council member. "This is a man that gave his heart and his money and his time," said Sarah Kirby-Gonzalez, Kirby's daughter. "He is not dying a rich man; he is dying rich in heart because he gave to all the things he loved." Kirby's involvement in the community stretched far and wide. He was Chairman of the Tumor Board at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, he provided physicals to students in Placer High School athletics and acted as physician on the field. He acted as a physician on the 100-mile Western States Endurance Run for 17 years, was a member of the Auburn Rotary Club, championed the Let's Never Forget Series, was a patron to many art projects throughout town, served as an elected director of the Auburn Recreation District and served on the board of directors and as a coach in Auburn Little League. "He was just a big believer in making the world better," Kirby-Gonzalez said. "Anyone that knew him knows that is true." Though Kirby was facing controversy in the week leading up to his death, family and friends said was so much more than his Facebook posts. "He really gave a lot of his life to better Auburn," said fellow councilmember Daniel Berlant. "It's a shame it ended on this note. I hope we can look past the hate and drama and can focus on his commitment to the community." Kirby-Gonzalez said her dad always tried to fix a problem if he saw it. "My dad was a big believer for always standing up for a problem," she said. "I think that is why he was frustrated lately." Berlant, in reflecting on Kirby's final days, agreed with Kirby-Gonzalez's sentiment. "He truly believed he should speak out in what he thought was wrong," Berlant said. "We can all remember Bill as being passionate and standing up for what he believed was right." Everyone agreed Kirby remained a passionate doctor to his final day. Kirby-Gonzalez said he was calling and checking in on patients the morning of his plane crash. Councilwoman Sandy Amara said she remembers Kirby making house calls to help her with her children many years ago. Amara said she was so appreciative of Kirby's willingness to help. "Many times, while working barbecues, a community member who had been a patient of his would approach the food prep area and acknowledge and thank Bill for helping them in their time of need," fellow Rotarian Ron Martinez said in an email. "He was proud that he accepted MediCal patients, when most specialists in our area did not because of the low reimbursement rate." Kirby served with the Rotary in a number of ways but could often be seen working in their community garden every Sunday, sharing his surgeon skills carving the meat at various food events and participating in One Book One Community events. Kirby also put his money where his mouth was – he was generous to the many causes he believed in, said Kathryn Holt, a friend who was involved with Kirby through various non-profits. Holt says she remembers Kirby paying for three boy scouts who couldn't afford camp one year. "If you came to him with a problem, he would immediately take care of it," Holt said. Auburn Area Recreation and Park District officials said Kirby would support their Youth Assistance Scholarship Fund, always "ensuring that he would help whenever the fund got low." Kirby's love of the arts led him to financially assist bringing unique art to town, including Central Square's "Celebration of the Confluence of the American River" salmon sculpture. "In the last three to four years, he was very dedicated to the arts in our community," said fellow councilman Matt Spokely. "He realized that one of the truly unique things in our little town is our deep interest in all forms of art." When he wasn't spending time giving back to the city of Auburn or working as a surgeon, Kirby could be found golfing, hiking, flying or bragging on his son, daughter and granddaughters. "As a father myself, I always enjoyed hearing Bill's stories and seeing his passion for his family and particularly his daughter, son and two granddaughters," Spokely said. "He loved them very much." Kirby, who was serving his final year of his third term on the Auburn City Council, was known for being passionate in his opinions. "I have known him to be outspoken and passionate," Berlant said. "Sometimes, that differed with my beliefs or others in the community but Bill was able to stay strong to what he believed is right." Despite sometimes disagreeing with his colleagues on the council, Kirby always tried to come to a consensus, councilmembers said. "Bill and I had a unique respect," Spokely said. "While we certainly didn't agree on all things all the time, at the end of the day, we both had respect for each other. I'm going to miss Bill's frank, educated and sometimes sharp comments he made at the dais." Councilwoman Amara said she understood his steadfastness in his opinions was just another way he showed love for Auburn. "He deeply, deeply loved Auburn and serving and building up other people," Kirby-Gonzalez said. "He's just the best guy. I just wish this wasn't this timing." Kirby-Gonzalez said she and her brother are planning a celebration-of-life for their father when groups of people can gather again.