Kirby Pines Retirement Community | The Pinecone

to the beard I had started growing. I don’t think her father was too impressed with me! Nevertheless,” continues Bob, “we married six months after we met and had 61 wonderful years together.” After Bob and Markanna’s marriage in 1963, they moved to Denver, Colorado, and Bob started working for General Motors Parts; later he transferred to Chevrolet Motor Division. “I started working in the office and then moved to a field job as a district manager, contacting dealers in my district,” recalls Bob. When the company decided computers rather than cars would cut costs, Bob and his family moved to Detroit, Michigan. Eventually, the company determined that face- to-face contact with district dealers was more productive. Bob was again moved into a field of operation and transferred to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1993. Four years later, Bob retired fromGeneral Motors after 34 years of employment. Fortunately, Markanna was able to be a homemaker. Caring for four children and maintaining the household was a full-time job! Sadly, their son Tim was killed in a freak dune buggy accident at the age of 27. Today, son Bobby is a Chef in Florida, daughter Cindy is a retired school teacher in Virginia, and daughter Kelly is a nurse in California. There are also eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. “I am so blessed to have all of them in my life,” states Bob. “I’m planning soon to visit all of them!” While living in Detroit, Markanna suggested that they needed to get involved with some activity for recreation. They chose line dancing and fell in love with it. They traveled to numerous workshops and taught line dancing on occasion. Bob and Markanna also loved to travel and visited many states and neighboring countries. When various health issues started to immerge, including signs of dementia in Markanna, Bob began to investigate places that would provide support and care they might need in the future. They chose Kirby Pines and moved into independent living in August 2023. Soon after the move, Markanna developed shingles; the dementia accelerated, and she passed away on November 7, 2024. Bob cared for Markanna in the apartment after her hospitalization and time in the rehabilitation unit. “I was with her when she died,” remembers Bob. “I’m so glad I was able to hold her hand as she took her last breath. I miss her very much.” Today Bob is involved with the Kirby Pines Line Dancers and woodworking shop. He is also beginning ballroom dancing classes now offered at Kirby. When asked what he likes about living at Kirby Pines, he responded, “I have great support here, and we can all relate to each other. I have made many new friends, and I enjoy all of the activities available here at Kirby.” Written by Joan Dodson, Resident of Kirby Pines The Pinecone | June 2025 • 7 • Following the “Golden Rule” has always been the practice for Bob Small. “I was raised by parents who taught me to be honest and to treat everyone with kindness,” states Bob. His warm smile and friendly persona give testimony to the fact that Bob is comfortable in being who he is. His life has offered challenges that are common to all of us, yet Bob says, “I am truly blessed. I had a good marriage of 61 years, had a sustaining and profitable vocation, and helped to raise children who are good people and leading productive lives.” What a legacy! Bob Small could also be called “Mr. Fixit.” In addition to being a “Geek Freak” who loves all things electronic and digital, Bob says he has always done his own household and automobile repairs. According to Bob, “I have always had a love of woodworking and making things, and I’m fortunate that I did not have to rely on others to ‘fix’ things.” Bob Small was born in 1942 in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, a township close to Philadelphia. His father was a jewelry salesman and his mother was a homemaker. The family moved to Adam City, Colorado, when Bob was five years old. Along with three sisters, Bob would spend his childhood there, attending Catholic and public schools. He has fond memories of his youth as he enjoyed fishing, hunting and swimming. He was active in the Boy Scouts, becoming an Eagle Scout. During the summers, he worked at various jobs. His favorite one was driving an ice cream truck. Some involved manual labor such as cutting lawns and building corrals at a feed lot. One very different job was serving beer at a concession stand at Mile High Dog Track in Commerce City, Colorado. Following graduation fromhigh school in 1960, Bob enrolled in Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. He studied mechanical engineering and business for two years and then dropped out of school for work. He continued to take courses at a community college at night. According to Bob, he never completed college because a major event took place which would send his future into a different direction. This happened when he met a beautiful girl named Markanna Klune on a blind date. Markanna was also a student at Colorado State University, but she and Bob first connected at a party given by some of Bob’s friends. The attraction was mutual, and they began dating. Bob says his first meeting with her family came at an inopportune time. “It was on St, Patrick’s Day, and I had been drinking green beer – the green color had attached itself L I V I NG THE GOLDEN RUL E Resident Spotlight: Bob Small Wedding Day 1963