Kevin Bird

Kevin Bird, 67, passed away on June 19 after an eight-year struggle with dementia. His wife of 42 years, Jill, was by his side.Born on May 2, 1959, in Buffalo, New York, to Charles and Joan (Nee Malmquist) Bird, Kevin spent his childhood on both coasts of the United States and also lived several years in Mali with his family.They eventually settled in Bloomington, where Kevin chose to live for the rest of his life. Arriving as a teenager, he fit right in—a long-haired kid on Kirkwood often seen with a pet snake draped around his neck.

Kevin made friends easily with his quick wit and his unwavering willingness to lend a hand to anyone in need. Fluent in both French and Bambara (the language of Mali) he could finish the New York Times Sunday crossword in no time, brought extra fun to every golf outing, shot a mean game of pool, loved to play the drums (especially with his nieces at Thanksgiving), and was a highly skilled carpenter. Before dementia robbed him of his abilities, Kevin and Jill traveled the world together, including a return to Mali, where they spent two years serving in the Peace Corps.

Kevin is survived by his loving wife, Jill Bird of Bloomington; his sister, Lisa Tincher (Jeff) of

Terre Haute; his brother, Marcus Bird (Nancy Blum) of Santa Barbara; his sister and brother-in-law, Jan and Mark Bapst of Dune Acres, Indiana; nieces Lauren Hackert (David) and Caitilin Johns (Lee),both of Terre Haute; nephew Benjamin Bird (Lora Iliev) of San Diego; niece Shana Bird (Conner Sharpe) of Sunnyvale,CA; nephews Mark (Blanca Torres-Olave) Bapst of Chicago and Morgan Bapst of Seoul, South Korea; and many dear cousins and friends.

Kevin leaves behind a legacy of generosity, craftsmanship, and enduring friendships. He was deeply appreciated by his clients and took great pride in creating beautiful projects that will stand as lasting reminders of his talent. His passing has left a tremendous void in the hearts of those who loved him, and he will be deeply missed.