Robert Douglas Aird

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Mr. Robert Douglas Aird, of Columbia, passed away at his home surrounded by beloved family and loving caregivers on Jan. 28, 2021 at the age of 78.

Bob was born to parents Gordon Smythe Aird and Sybil Lorene Staples Aird on

May 15th, 1942 in Mexico. Bob was a phenomenal and extremely intelligent man with a huge heart, always ready to put a smile on anyone's face with a witty remark or joke. He was full of life and laughter and spread that to all those who surrounded him.

Bob graduated from North East Missouri University with an undergraduate degree in education. He also went on to receive a masters degree in South American history, as well as speech pathology from North East Missouri University. He later received a specialist degree in educational administration from the University of Missouri.

Throughout his career he made a difference and positive impact in so many lives while teaching in California, Iowa, and Missouri. Later, going on to work for Crippled Children’s Service based out of Jefferson City, and then completing his career and retiring from the education department at Fulton Reception and Diagnostic Center. Bob was known for his fantastic memory and was a consummate educator.

Bob was a devout Catholic, committed to his faith. He also enjoyed giving back to his community and performed volunteer work over the years with Habitat For Humanity, Foster Parenting in both Audrain and Boone Counties, the Big Brother Program, Mid-Missouri Social Club (at one point being nominated Volunteer Family of the Year Award), and Friends of the Columbia Public Library. He often contributed to many needy causes, especially The Southern Poverty Law Conference.

Bob loved to watch high school and college sports, holding season tickets yearly to the Mizzou games until he was no longer physically able to attend. He also loved reading books of all kinds, as well as magazines (particularly The New Yorker) and walked daily to the public library for\ new reading material for many years. He enjoyed playing Trivial Pursuit and Scrabble and was virtually undefeatable at these games due to his vast knowledge of all things. He was a lover of music and of his beloved pets. He had many close friendships that he held dear and close from high school and enjoyed many get-together's with them. He also enjoyed vacationing at Pawleys Island, South Carolina and traveling with friends throughout England and Europe.

Bob is survived by his wife, Cherie Lynn Maurits Tolch Aird; his son, Samuel Hunt Aird and wife Angela; his daughter, Jeanne Marie Tolch; two granddaughters, Alexis Shante Cherie Tolch and Grace Rachel Aird; a great granddaughter, Nevaeh Marie Jarrett; a niece, Jacquelyn LeMone Lauterbach; a Great Niece, Tori Lauterbach; and a nephew, Gordon LeMone. He is preceded in death by his sister, Dr. Sybil Priscilla Aird LeMone Koeplin.

Bob Aird’s wishes are that his body be donated to Science to the University of Missouri, Department of Anatomy, in Columbia.


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