Lest We Forget: Bill Kirwin

One of my first published pieces appeared in NINE: A Journal of Baseball History and Culture. Off-hand, I can’t recall what it was other than that it was a book review. Although he didn’t know it, Bill sort of launched me on my second career as a writer. Buoyed by the confidence that comes with seeing your byline attached to something you’ve authored, I sought out and received other assignments, some paying, others not, but I always enjoyed what I was doing (as long as it was about baseball).

The following appears on the NINE Web site:

IN MEMORIUM, BILL KIRWIN, FOUNDING EDITOR

Kirwin, Dr. William John (Bill)
Oct. 3, 1937- Dec.11, 2007

Bill died peacefully with both his daughters at his side, after a remarkable yearlong battle with brain cancer. Bill was an extremely complex, bright, talented, innovative and accomplished man. In addition to generously sharing his immense love with so many, he also inspired others to “think outside of the box,” creating new possibilities and realities, enriching meaningful connections and relationships between thousands of people across
the globe. A celebrated athlete, an exemplary teacher and role model, the founding editor of NINE: A Journal of Baseball History and Culture a Professor Emeritus, and a uniquely wonderful human being, Bill Kirwin will be remembered and cherished in the hearts of every life he touched and live forever in our collective loving spirit.

Bill is survived by his wife Wendy, daughters Jannette (Patrick) and Suzanne, granddaughter Sydney, step-daughter Kelli (Tim), granddaughter Meagan, sister-in-law, Sandy Kirwin (Cindy (Jim), Pam (Mark), Koby (LeeAnn)), and nieces and nephews Jimmy, Ben, Katie, Nicholas, Kat, Meg and Shae, and literally hundreds of close friends in Canada, the US and around the world. He is predeceased by his brother Jim, his parents, Catherine and Myron, and his stepson Clayton.

Please join us for “A Celebration of Bill¹s Life” at Lister Hall (The Maple Leaf Room), at the University of Alberta on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 1:00 PM, followed by an ice cream reception (in keeping with Bill¹s favorite food!).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

The Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary
Attention: Bill Kirwin Scholarship Fund
2500 University Drive

Calgary, Alberta
Canada
For details on the scholarship contact: kbradley@ucalgary.ca