Kirby W. Abbott, 57, of Towanda RR 2, Asylum Twp., Pa., passed away unexpectedly Saturday, May 3, 2008, at Memorial Hospital, Towanda, Pa. Born Aug. 24, 1950 in Bradford, Pa., he was the son of Dr. Wilbur D. Abbott and Claridel Allison Abbott. Kirby was a graduate of Towanda High School, Class of 1968. He continued his education at Kent State University in Ohio for a year, and subsequently served in the US Army Reserves. He was a graduate of Paul Smith's College in New York. Kirby was employed by Sharcana Inc. in Monroeton for a time and later moved to Malone, N.Y. where he was employed in the lumber industry for 2 years. On Oct. 7, 1972, he married the former Brenda K. Williams at the First Presbyterian Church in Towanda. Kirby was employed by E.I. DuPont in Towanda and associates in Wilmington, Del. for over 25 years until his passing. At present he was serving as a Master Data Specialist for DuPont Information Technology. Kirby was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Towanda and the Towanda Rifle and Pistol Club. He loved the outdoors, hunting and camping in the Adirondack Mountains. He also enjoyed fishing and Gettysburg History. Kirby was an honorary member of Team America. He is survived by: his wife of 35 years, Brenda K. Abbott at home; daughters and sons-in-law, Keri R. Pickett and her husband Curt of Laceyville, Pa., Kim N. Wheaton and her husband Aaron of Towanda, Pa.; his grandchildren, "who were the apple of his eye," Kylie Estelle Pickett and Jack Dominic Wheaton; mother, Claridel Abbott of Towanda RR 3, Pa.; father, Dr. Wilbur D. Abbott of Sun City, Ariz.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Dale L. Abbott and Berny Abbott of Towanda, Pa., Kevin S. Abbott and Liz Abbott of Bradford, Pa., Greg A. Abbott and Becky Abbott of Empire, Mich.; mother-in-law, Mary V. Williams of Towanda; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert Williams and Dayna Dawsey of Liberty Corners; two nieces, Loren Bellows and Kensey Abbott; five nephews, Wade Abbott, Cole Abbott, Caleb Abbott, Dan Abbott and Randy Abbott; several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Joseph Randall "Randy" Abbott, on June 13, 1960, and his father-in-law, John "Jack" Williams on Dec. 29, 1990.
The funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7,2008, at the First Presbyterian Church, 5 Court St., Towanda, Pa., with the Rev. Michael Hughes, pastor, officiating. Interment will be private in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Towanda, Pa. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Maryott-Bowen Funeral Home, 217 York Ave., Towanda, Pa. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorial contributions may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church, 5 Court St., Towanda, PA 18848, or to the Valley Youth Hunters Education Challenge, 1534 Front St., Athens, PA 18810, or to the National History Museum of the Adirondacks at www.wildcenter.org, in Kirby W. Abbott's memory. Contributed by Carol Brotzman

Published in the Daily Review on 5/5/2008.