Kirk Bartlett Wetherbee Jr., 42, beloved husband, father, family member, cherished friend and neighbor passed unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. Kirk retired in 2024 from the United States Air Force as a First Lieutenant, then contributed his experience and many talents as a government contractor. He lived in Plymouth, MA with his wife of 18 years, Roxanne, their two children and a dachshund.

One of three siblings, Kirk was the son of Kirk Sr. and Betsy Wetherbee. He was a Boston- area native, raised in both Saugus and Danvers. He was educated in Danvers, then joined the United States Air Force. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts. Among his many professional certifications and accomplishments, he was a Merchant Mariner; "Captain Kirk," Jui Jitsu blue belt, he ran multiple races for Tough Ruck and Run to Home Base and he trained to be a helicopter pilot. A best friend of more than 20 years said of Kirk, "when we were in tech school for CCAF, getting hammered with work, he was also going to college at the same time. I don't know how he did it, but he drove me with friendly competition, so I went to college too and when he pursued his masters, I also pursued my masters. I always looked up to him and I wouldn't be where I am today without him. He was bigger than me, stronger than me, physically and mentally." Most notably, Kirk served his country for twenty years in the United States Air Force beginning as an Avionics Systems Team Leader and advancing into a career as a Contracting Officer, as well as an Acquisition and Contracting Instructor. He deployed twice to Afghanistan, serving as an Advisor during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Kirk met his wife, Roxanne in 2005 where they were stationed at Osan Air Force Base, South Korea. They were sent to separate bases following Osan. Kirk, in Ely, England and Roxanne in Aviano, Italy. Their love transcended the miles between them, and they were engaged in Ely where Kirk was stationed for two years. They married shortly after in Aviano where Roxanne was stationed for the same two years on February 14, 2007, Valentine's Day. When they returned stateside, they were stationed together again at Beale, Air Force Base in California for four more years of active duty. It was also when they welcomed their first "child,"Chico Wetherbee (a most beloved Black Labrador).

Kirk and Roxanne settled in Plymouth, MA, working at Otis Air Force Base where they continued their service in the Air National Guard, living closer to their large, extended Massachusetts family. They welcomed their two children, a girl in 2014 and a boy in 2016. They enjoyed summers on Kirk's boat driving to the "Bud Light" Lighthouse and Brown's Bank. Sunny days were spent with walks downtown after he returned from work with Roxanne, the kids and dog, everyone knowing that dad would not deviate from his favorite black raspberry ice cream. Kirk was a fun dad, one that played video games, regularly wrestled his son and dog, and adventuring into the woods to kick down dead trees for building huts. He cheated at Manhunt with his friend's night vision monocular and loved to plan a good jump scare. Hundreds of movie nights, Lego sets and Battleship made for a rich home life that his family will long remember. He really wanted a talking Parrot and although he was warned several times that their dog would eat it, he never stopped asking.

He was a helpful neighbor and made many, many local friends. He hosted his in-laws at various times of year from California and spent a lot of time in the North Shore with his parents, siblings, niece, nephews and extended family. Kirk was deeply loved, he will be missed by so many for his legendary sense of humor, generosity, helping hands and just him. Nobody else was like Kirk and there are too many stories to share here.

"No story sits by itself. Sometimes stories meet at corners and sometimes they cover one another completely, like stones beneath a river." ~ Mitch Albom

Surviving are Kirk's wife, Roxanne, their daughter, Lily and son, Will of Plymouth, MA; parents, Kirk Sr. and Betsy Wetherbee of Rowley, MA; grandmother, Lily V. Wetherbee (née Bartlett) of Saugus, MA; sister, Jennifer Foster, her husband Chad and their children Ellebe and Elijah of Newbury, MA; sister Allison Sherman of Rowley, MA, Brian Sherman of Newburyport, MA and their children Jake and Declan; mother-in-law Cecilia Salditos of Fairfield, CA; sister-in-law Amie Salditos of Fairfield, CA and her son, Sean Suyat of Tucson, AZ; brother-in-law, Deo Salditos, his wife Angie and their daughters, Angel and Yana Salditos. Several surviving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends join his close family members in mourning.

Kirk is predeceased by his father-in-law, Amadeo Yu Salditos Jr., grandparents, Thelma and Joe Silvia, grandfather, Arnold H. Wetherbee and grandfather, Frederick Wilson.

A private memorial service will be held at Restoration Church, 4 Oak Street, Wakefield, MA 01880 on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brown's Bank Fund, FBO Roxanne and Family at https://gofund.me/61e7b4d6.