Robert 'Bob' Allison Rives

Robert 'Bob' Allison Rives

2023. He was born to James Vell Rives, Sr., and Margaret McKinney Rives on September 4th,1929. He graduated from Phillips High School in 1947 and contributed significantly to the city of Birmingham and the surrounding areas throughout his decades-long career with the family business, Rives Construction Company, Inc.

Referred to by his high school buddies as "Tim" (short for his Winnataska nickname Timoshenko), Bob earned his Pilot's License before he was old enough to obtain his automobile driver's license. He attended both the University of Alabama and Alabama Polytechnic Institute/Auburn University. Bob was active in the Sigma Chi fraternity. He met his wife, Lucy Kathryn "Kitty" Smith, in Auburn and graduated with a degree in Building Science. He went on to serve our country as a proud Marine and Fighter Jet Pilot, earning the call sign 'Harpo' indicative of his resemblance to comedian Harpo Marx. Semper Fidelis.

Known to embrace life to its fullest, Bob learned to snow ski in his 60s, attended weekly ballroom dance classes until his late 80s, and was committed to mastering Spanish right up to his final days. From boating and golf to Bridge and global travel, he was never one to shy away from an adventure. Bob was especially fond of the Florida Gulf Coast and the Southwest - Taos, New Mexico, was in his heart.

He was everyone's favorite chef at Christmas, whipping up a family-sized pot of gumbo to feed anyone that dropped by. He was generous to his core.

Blessed with a disarmingly dry sense of humor, steady countenance, and a deep sense of personal integrity, Bob had a way of enriching people's lives in ways that not even he was aware of.

Poetry, writing, and deep thinking were his great loves. He was infatuated by any actor's ability to memorize monologues and prose. From family gatherings to ski lift heights, he was known to recite favorites such as "Spell of the Yukon" and "The Cremation of Sam McGee" from Robert Service.

Extending from his own childhood foundations at Walker Memorial Methodist Church, Bob was a faithful member of his church choir, Sunday School teacher, and a very influential/longtime lay leader at Oakmont United Methodist Church. He studied the Bible, scripture, and sermons and often emailed his Southminster Pastor for clarification and continued learning.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother J.V. Rives, Jr., his sister Marie Hawkins Rives, and his wife of 51 years, Kathryn "Kitty" Smith Rives. He is survived by their four children, Mark Allison Rives (Lee), Margaret Rives Galloway, John Dickson Rives (Renee), and Robyn Allicy Rives. Known as "Pee Paw" or "Peeps" to the younger generations, he has 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren (soon to be 9). He is also preceded in death by his second wife of 17 years, Beverly Brandau Striplin Rives, and is survived by her two daughters and a son - Cynthia Victor, Janet Nottrodt (Clay), and David Striplin (Isabelle), along with their children and grandchildren.

Arrangements are as follows: Saturday, August 12th, 2023 - 1 pm Visitation in Grace Hall of Southminster Presbyterian Church in Vestavia, AL, followed by a 2 pm Memorial service in the sanctuary. A private family committal of ashes at Elmwood Cemetery and Mausoleum will be held. In lieu of flowers, donate to your favorite charity or Southminster Presbyterian Church Foundation for Ministry, Inc. southminsterfoundation.com.