Rob Shirk, South St. Paul Examiner, passes at 57

July 26, 2:59 PMSouth St. Paul ExaminerRob Shirk

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Rob Shirk

(Editor's Note: This was written by George Shirk, twin brother of Robert Shirk.)

Robert Shirk, a cancer survivor who turned his love for his family and his community into a series of tender—and often hilarious—vignettes, died peacefully at his home in South St. Paul on Monday, July 20. He was 57, and at time of death he was surrounded by family. The cause of death was pneumonia.

Robert was an engaging conversationalist known for his quick wit, openness with others and appreciation for many of the simpler things in life. He was particularly fond of summer cookouts with his family in their backyard, and walking with his dog, Buddy, in their South St. Paul neighborhood.

He was an ardent baseball aficionado, avidly supporting his beloved Twins. Additionally, he loved reading and learning history, and became knowledgeable about several major historical events, notably the Civil War and the American involvement in World War II.

But it was his family and his community activity that marked his individuality. He was an active and longtime member of Alcoholics Anonymous, as well as a member of South St. Paul's Methodist Church, where he, his wife, Cynthia, and his son, Riley, were seen regularly.

Rob began writing his vignettes for Examiner.com while recovering from leukemia, diagnosed in 2005. At the time of his death, Mr. Shirk was free of the disease for well over two years. He was prolific and frequently very funny. His topics included local and state politics, high school sports, education, holidays and neighborhood events and festivals. Among his favorite topics was Groundhog Day, and his neighbors along Seventh Avenue South would see him each Feb. 2, standing in his front yard and waving to early-morning traffic while wearing a homemade, full-length groundhog suit.

Robert Owen Shirk was born June 3, 1952 at Mercy Hospital in Oelwein, Iowa, the third of three children of Richard Owen Shirk, an Oelwein businessman, and Ivah Lorraine Shirk. His birth came as somewhat of a surprise, as no one had foreseen that he would be the second-born of identical twins. His twin, George, of Oakland, Calif., was born five minutes ahead of him. Following Robert's 1970 graduation from Oelwein Community High School and a short stint at Western State College in Gunnison, Colo., Mr. Shirk joined the United States Navy and was stationed in San Diego, Calif.

In 1989 he married Cindy King, who in the last four years kept their friends abreast of Rob's successful fight against leukemia in online posts at CaringBridge (www.carringbridge.org). Their son, Riley, was born in 1994 and is a student at South St. Paul High School. Rob's other family members include his older sister, Susan Hopkins, of Lexington, Ky.

The family requestts donations in honor of Robert be made to The Rob Shirk Trust at any Wells Fargo bank.