Eyob James Nigatu Robirds

Eyob James Nigatu Robirds

 Eyob James Nigatu Robirds was born on July 26, 1998 in Nazret, Ethiopia. Arriving in America with brother Yared and his new family in April of 2006, Eyob ran down the baggage claim stairs with a beautiful smile, ready to befriend his new cousins. We soon learned Eyob approached everyone he met with a smile and the opportunity to be his friend. The Robirds house became home to basement dance parties, hamburgers for breakfast and two young boys and a black Lab, all with tireless energy and enthusiasm. 

 Throughout his youth, Eyob enjoyed being active and loved sports, displaying kindness and a spirit of competition that had officials praising him to us after games. Eyob saw nothing wrong with waving to family and friends during competition or helping an opposing competitor off the floor. He spent countless hours at the gym, on his bike or playing catch. At school, he asked teachers how they spent their weekend, how their family was doing, and told them they looked great. 

 Eyob was happiest with family. Holidays, family dinners, BBQs, dinners at Taps, and Fourth of July celebrations brought Eyob together with parents, his brother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and copious amounts of food. 

 Eyob loved his brother Yared dearly and felt a great responsibility for his parenting. Naturally, Yared was resistant so Eyob decided to help others; the first being his grandfather. Eyob spent countless nights with ”Poppy,” watching Duke basketball, the Green Bay Packers and baseball. He also helped with gardening, yardwork and anything else that was too difficult for his grandfather. The relationship turned from grandfather and grandson into best friends. 

 After completing high school, Eyob began working at Northwest College weeks later. He attacked his new job like everything else, with enthusiasm, the desire to do well, and an eagerness to learn. He worked at NWC for six years, enjoying his coworkers, taking pride in the college’s appearance, and loving the employee barbecues. His job and hard work enabled him to buy his own home without assistance from others, an accomplishment for which he took great pride. 

Still, he found time to help others. After his “Poppy’s” death, Eyob’s other grandmother experienced the loss of her husband, Eyob became a constant presence at her house, visiting, working, encouraging and complimenting. Eyob soon began to see his grandmother’s health improve and their relationship deepen. A great aunt joined the picture and the newly formed three amigos remodeled his house into a home that he enjoyed immensely. 

 Hidden behind the joy he showed for his family and life in America, Eyob never forgot his birth family. He often felt immense guilt for all that he had, knowing his birth mother was not as fortunate. Being able to reconnect with them during the last few years of his life brought him both incredible joy and sorrow. Helping them became his greatest and final project. Speaking to his mother and best friend, Temesgen, regularly on Skype, Eyob reassured them he was well, expressed his boundless love for them and supported them financially. His advice to Temesgen was consistent: Always be kind, always be generous, stay strong for your family and help those who need it before you help yourself. At the time of his death, Eyob was requesting the addresses and names of extended family in Ethiopia so he could send them money as well. 

We have never met another person like Eyob and remain in awe of his kindness, generosity and his special gift for bringing joy to others before thinking of himself.  

“What’s going on, Pops? How’s your day?” 

 “Hi there handsome man, you’re looking good.” 

 “Hey, my beautiful ladies, how are you this morning?” 

 “What’s up, cool guy?” 

 These are just a small sample of how Eyob would greet anybody who showed him kindness or a willingness to be friends. We will miss him deeply. 

 Eyob leaves his parents, Eric and Wendi Robirds; his brother, Yared Reece Robirds; his birth mother, Aynalem Gizachew; Grandmothers, Joanna Powers and Marc Robirds; Great aunt, Jennifer Welling; Grandparents, John and Diane Winter; Aunts and uncles, Lynn and Anita Robirds, Jan and Benji Valdez, Pete Robirds and Jen Cerovski, Johnny and Angie Pitts, Scott Dixon and Jodee Winter. Many close relatives, cousins, nieces and nephews became part of Eyob’s tribe as well and will miss his presence at family gatherings. 

 Services will be held on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. at the Nelson Performing Arts Building at Northwest College. A reception will follow at the Yellowstone Building. Duke and Green Bay Packer apparel is encouraged. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made in Eyob’s name to Wide Horizons for Children at whfc.org as helping impoverished families was dear to Eyob. Closer to home, you can donate to the NWC Foundation for the Eyob Robirds Forever Kind Scholarship; mail to 231 W 6th St, Powell, WY 82435, or online at nwc.edu/foundation/give.