Robert A Kinney

Robert Kinney, age 90, died peacefully at Penn Yan Manor on Sunday, June 3rd, after a long decline, endured with dignity. Born and raised in Iowa City, Iowa he received a bachelor's degree in Architectural Engineering from Iowa State University, Ames, where he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. He also, in those years, served his country in the army of occupation in Japan as a member of Gen . Douglas MacArthur's Honor Guard and later, in Korea, as a front line radio operator in the demilitarized zone. After a brief career as an architectural engineer, seeking a career change, he obtained an M.B.A. degree from the Univ. of Iowa, {owe City and was employed by Xerox Corp. in Rochester, N.Y. as a manufacturing manager in new product development. He eventually became a multi-national manufacturing manager, entailing considerable travel in Asia, South America end Europe and a several year residency in England. His many interests and considerable skills contributed greatly to his professional success and also enriched the lives of his family and friends. He loved cooking wonderful meals for all and hosted an annual, much anticipated pig roast for Xerox families and friends for many years. He shared his love of travel and exploration of diverse cultures with his family, broadening the horizons of his children and grandchildren, nurturing their understanding of and respect for cultural differences. Bob heid a private pilots license, was a Great Books discussion leader ,a skilled , enthusiastic volleyball and tennis player, a master gardener, an excellent bridge player a deep lover of nature end a firm believer in the ethic of "giving back". In this vein, after retirement: he served on the Republican executive committee in Rochester and on the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals, becoming president. After retiring permanently to Penn Yan he was a board member of Keuka Lake Assoc., the Industrial Development Agency of Yates Co., Genesee-Fingerlakes Regional Planning Council executive committee, Pro-Action of Steuben and Yates Co. inc. and the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra. He also chaired the Fair Taxation Comm. the board of the Yates Co. Arts Center and was a Yates Co. legislator. Bob is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Char, who has enjoyed the journey, his children Sarah, Ford (Simone), Gretchen, end Neel (Kim), who will continue his legacy of open-minded joy in living, nine grandchildren: Julian ,Jilayna, Leanne, Traesa, Omar, Danny (Vanessa), Amanda, Nate, Vanessa,one precious great grandson, Kaideny a niece, Ann Murphy and a nephew, Allen Lorentzen. At Bob's request there will be no memorial serv'ices. He'll live in our hearts. Donations in his memory, if desired, may be directed to the Penn Yan Manor, a place of unstinting care and kindness to The Fingerlakes Chamber Music Festival, P.O. Box 605, Penn Yan. N.Y. 14527, a cultural gem.