Robert 'Bob' Irwin

Obituary Robert 'Bob' Irwin Jr, 78, of Beaufort, passed away on Monday, April 17, 2023 at home. Born on August 2, 1944, Robert Franklin Irwin came into this world to leave his mark not only on canvases but in the hearts of his friends and loved ones. "Bob" as he would introduce himself, was born in Latrobe, PA to Dolly Werner and Robert Irwin Sr. From an early age his parents were instrumental in developing his art career, starting his fathers gift of a drafting set with hopes of creating an engineer to the nurturing development by his mother enrolling him in art lessons. Bob was destined to have a creative life. Bobs family lived in several southern states and eventually settled in Atlanta Ga. There, he married his high school sweetheart and had 2 children, Cristi and Peter. He attended the University of GA and studied under Lamar Dodd. He was hired by Alex Cooley to photograph bands during the Atlanta Pop festival and other tours with legendary vocal artists such as Peter, Paul and Mary, Janice Joplin, BB King and the Allman Brothers to name just a few. His yearning to do more with his art took him away from Atlanta and brought him to North Carolina where he settled in Raleigh. He enrolled in the School of Design at NCSU studying under George Bierline and Joe Cox. These giants molded Bob into the artist he became. As Bob would describe his life, he lived a smorgasbord of desires. Photographer, model (the Winston man), museum designer, high end furniture designer, sculptor, sailor, dog lover and friend. Bob was a giver and has been described by so many as "larger than life". When you became a friend of Bobs, you were his friend for life, and he asked that you share his passions. He always showed up to help a friend, a loved one, or an animal. Another of Bobs greatest passions in his later life was coaching the young marines in the Wounded Warrior program. Getting up at 4:00am to drive to Camp LeJeune to work with these young men never grew tiresome. He traveled across the USA to take his boys to participate in many racing events. Pictures of his boys and other coaches still hang in his office today. 13 years ago, Bob was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease. He attacked the disease as he did any project, with full force and head on. He found his team of doctors at Duke and went right after the best of care. His ability to continue to ride his bike and paint lessened as the disease progressed. Bob decided to close his studio and donate his collection of materials to West Carteret High School. Through chance he met his now wife, partner, companion, fellow artist and dog lover. He took an interest in her art classes and came in on occasion to help the students. A renaissance occurred and he picked up the paint brush again. Bob had several more shows after that throughout North Carolina and created many more works of art. Bob may have left this worldly body but his legacy through his body of art will remain here for an eternity. Bob is survived by his wife Kathy Spruill of Beaufort, his daughter Cristi Iannuzzi of San Francisco, CA., his son Peter Iannuzzi of Savannah Ga., his dogs Kiddo and Healer and a host of friends. The attached video says it best. We will let Bob tell about himself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw1UxeoWepw A Celebration of Life for Bob will be forthcoming. Tentatively the date is the beginning of August. More information will follow. A donation can be made in Bobs honor to the following: Austin Veterinary Outreach and Rescue https://austinvetoutreach.com PayPal is set up on the website or checks can be written to: AVOR 102 Professional Park Dr. Beaufort, NC28516 In the memo: Please write in memory of Robert F. Irwin About Austin Vet Outreach We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to the welfare of animals in eastern NC. Our mission is to help provide affordable veterinary care, including spay and neuter, for pet owners in Carteret County and surrounding counties. In addition to helping pet owners, we also help find forever homes for homeless animals in eastern NC. Our board members are made up of a diverse group of animal lovers committed to the health and welfare of animals. We are a volunteer-based organization working in our time off from our 'real' jobs to help animals in need. Our current veterinarians are Dr. Sara Austin and Dr. Sam Schmitt of Austin Veterinary Animal Hospital. Dr. Austin graduated from NCSU in 2010 and has worked in rescue and low cost spay/neuter since 2012. She has dedicated her life and passion to 'those in need'. Dr. Sam joined Austin Veterinary in 2015 and has quickly jumped on board with the mission. Both veterinarians are highly skilled at surgery and will provide top notch care for your pets. AVOR was formed in April 2015 to develop a rescue-adoption-spay/neuter program for cats and dogs in association with Austin Veterinary. AVOR has rescued and found homes for hundreds of cats and dogs. Programs New Leash on Life Program AVOR participates in the "New Leash on Life" program at the Craven Pamlico Correctional Facility in Bayboro, NC. The unique program allows inmates to partner with local animal shelters and rescues to train dogs in preparation for their adoption. The inmates teach the dogs basic obedience, crate training, socialization, and leash training. Sometimes advanced obedience training along with agility and rally training is taught. New Leash on Life benefits the inmates as well as the dogs. The inmates learn patience, responsibility and a feeling of accomplishment while becoming experienced dog trainers. All dogs are vetted, vaccinated and altered in preparation for the program and adoption. If you are interested in meeting one of our dogs in the New Leash on Life program, please contact us to set up a meeting. Rescue/Rehabilitation/Foster/Adoption Since our inception in 2015, AVOR has rescued over 500 dogs and cats, mostly from shelters or strays. We house many of our foster animals at Austin Veterinary but also have a wonderful volunteer foster home network. AVOR provides foster pets with food, supplies, and all the necessary veterinary care. Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noefs.net Arrangements by Noe Funeral Service, Inc. of Beaufort, NC. Services You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Robert 'Bob' Irwin