Peter Kirby

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Peter Kirby, age 75, of Sacramento, CA. Unfortunately, Peter recently suffered a severe stroke from which he never recovered.

Peter was born in Queens, NY, to Cornelius and Anne Kirby. He spent his early childhood in Queens, NY, and Montclair, NJ. Additionally, the family lived in Egypt and New Orleans.

He was educated at Yale University where he received a Bachelor of Arts, and then Harvard Law School where he received his Juris Doctor. In his career, he pursued his passion to protect the environment through his work with the National Wildlife Federation and the Wilderness Society, where he served as Counsel for Forestry and Forestry Reform. He also taught Environmental Law at Vermont Law School and George Washington University. He lived in Georgia for many years, where he enjoyed hiking the Southern Appalachian Trail and writing about his backpacking adventures.

In the last two decades of his life, he fulfilled his dream of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in California. He also became a Certified Masseur and had many, varied eclectic interests. He is remembered fondly by his many diverse friends from all walks of life. We will miss his kind and gentle personality. He made everyone feel like his best friend.

He is survived by his sisters: Cornelia Cross from Washington State and Margaret McDowell and Dolores Morris from New York. Additionally, he leaves behind many nieces and nephews and their families. He also is survived by a large extended family of cousins, particularly Tessie Fox who treated Peter with great love and kindness during his years in California.

Donations to The Wilderness Society can be made in his memory to help continue his passion for protecting the environment.

A Zoom Meeting Memorial is being planned for some time in early August.