Mr. Bird was born in Kokomo, Ind. He came to Brevard County in 1958 from Indianapolis.

He started working for the New York Central Railroad in 1926 in Beech Grove, Ind. He later worked as a paid volunteer fireman for Warren Township, Ind., in the late 1940s and early 1950s. He then began working for RCA as a technician and was transferred to the technology lab at Patrick Air Force Base. He also worked at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Kennedy Space Center. He retired in 1970.

Mr. Bird was Baptist.

He was a life member of Engelwood Masonic Lodge No. 715, F&AM in Indianapolis and the Scottish Rites Valley of Orlando. He also was past monarch of the Nile Grotto in Melbourne.

Mr. Bird enjoyed music and played the organ and piano.

Survivors include his son, Robert Bird of Melbourne; daughters, Joan Lancaster of Melbourne and Brenda Holtzclaw of Melbourne Beach; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

Calling hours will be from 5 to 7 tonight, with a masonic service following, at Davis Funeral Home in Melbourne. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Brevard Memorial Park in Frontenac.