Obituary for Kirby C. Rainsberger
Kirby Collin Rainsberger, of Temple Terrace, FL, passed away on
Wednesday, January 13, 2021, after battling brain cancer. He was 66
years old. Kirby was born on March 24, 1954, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He grew up
in Gainesville, FL, catching snakes in Paynes Prairie as a kid, and in
Melbourne Beach, FL, where he had long hair, rode motorcycles, and
tested his parents' patience. After graduating from Melbourne High
School in 1972, Kirby studied at Florida State University and received
his Bachelor's degree in Criminology in 1975. Kirby then served as a
police officer in Florida and Colorado before entering law school. He
graduated with High Honors from the University of Florida College of
Law in 1986. Kirby then worked for multiple Tampa law firms before
joining the Tampa Police Department (TPD) in 1991 as their Legal
Advisor. He served TPD and the City of Tampa for thirty years,
advising six consecutive police chiefs on the interpretation and
application of the law. At the time of his death, he was Chief
Assistant City Attorney and TPD's Legal Advisor and unofficial
Wildlife Removal Specialist. Kirby loved animals, the outdoors, helping his friends and family, and Pepsi with "the good ice." He was a kind soul with a tough exterior,
a brilliant mind, and a sharp sense of humor, who endeavored to leave
the world a little better than he found it. He was a loving husband,
son, father, and grandfather, and a loyal friend. Kirby was predeceased by his father, Richard E. Rainsberger and his father-in-law, Johnnie "Wayne" Walker. He is survived by his
partner-in-life and wife, Kathy Hegenauer Rainsberger; daughters
Kathryn (Kevin) Earle, Brittny (Lena) Hegenauer, and Shelby Hegenauer;
mother, Barbara A. Rainsberger; mother-in-law, Margaret Walker;
siblings Todd (Brenda) Rainsberger, Kevin (Nell) Rainsberger, and Faye
Fraser; other extended family and friends; and grandchildren Menolly
and Domick Earle, who brought him immeasurable joy.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2021, at
Bay Life Church, 1017 Kingsway Rd., Brandon, FL 33510. Celebration
will begin at 11:00 a.m., doors open at 10:15 a.m. Masks are
required. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Glioblastoma
Foundation (https://glioblastomafoundation.org/).
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Wednesday, January 13, 2021, after battling brain cancer. He was 66
years old. Kirby was born on March 24, 1954, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He grew up
in Gainesville, FL, catching snakes in Paynes Prairie as a kid, and in
Melbourne Beach, FL, where he had long hair, rode motorcycles, and
tested his parents' patience. After graduating from Melbourne High
School in 1972, Kirby studied at Florida State University and received
his Bachelor's degree in Criminology in 1975. Kirby then served as a
police officer in Florida and Colorado before entering law school. He
graduated with High Honors from the University of Florida College of
Law in 1986. Kirby then worked for multiple Tampa law firms before
joining the Tampa Police Department (TPD) in 1991 as their Legal
Advisor. He served TPD and the City of Tampa for thirty years,
advising six consecutive police chiefs on the interpretation and
application of the law. At the time of his death, he was Chief
Assistant City Attorney and TPD's Legal Advisor and unofficial
Wildlife Removal Specialist. Kirby loved animals, the outdoors, helping his friends and family, and Pepsi with "the good ice." He was a kind soul with a tough exterior,
a brilliant mind, and a sharp sense of humor, who endeavored to leave
the world a little better than he found it. He was a loving husband,
son, father, and grandfather, and a loyal friend. Kirby was predeceased by his father, Richard E. Rainsberger and his father-in-law, Johnnie "Wayne" Walker. He is survived by his
partner-in-life and wife, Kathy Hegenauer Rainsberger; daughters
Kathryn (Kevin) Earle, Brittny (Lena) Hegenauer, and Shelby Hegenauer;
mother, Barbara A. Rainsberger; mother-in-law, Margaret Walker;
siblings Todd (Brenda) Rainsberger, Kevin (Nell) Rainsberger, and Faye
Fraser; other extended family and friends; and grandchildren Menolly
and Domick Earle, who brought him immeasurable joy.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2021, at
Bay Life Church, 1017 Kingsway Rd., Brandon, FL 33510. Celebration
will begin at 11:00 a.m., doors open at 10:15 a.m. Masks are
required. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Glioblastoma
Foundation (https://glioblastomafoundation.org/).
Previous Events
Celebration of Life Service
Saturday
6
Feb
11:00 AM
Bay Life Church
1017 Kingsway Road
Brandon, FL 33510
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2021, at Bay Life Church, 1017 Kingsway Rd., Brandon, FL 33510. Celebration will begin at 11:00 a.m., doors open at 10:15 a.m. Masks are required.
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