MCKINNON, Robert

Robert (Bob) McKinnon, age 86, former Climax resident, of Omaha, Nebr., passed away peacefully on April 18 in Richardson, Texas, with family members at his side. He was born March 24, 1926, in Hammond, Ind. to his parents Robert and Lydia McKinnon. McKinnon grew up in Lansing, Ill., where he graduated from Thornton Fractional High School. Late in his senior year, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps where he served as navigator in the Glider Corps. After the war, he attended Central Michigan University and graduated in 1948 with a degree in education. He married Elizabeth (Bess) Parfitt in Lake County, Ill., on June 21, 1948. They had three children. The couple took their family high into the Colorado Rockies to Climax in the mid 1950s – their great adventure. McKinnon worked for the Climax Molybdenum Company as recreation director for years. The family then moved to Omaha where they lived for the next 50 years. McKinnon worked for the city of Omaha in parks and recreation for more than 20 years. Among his many responsibilities during that time, he managed Benson Golf Course, the Omaha Marina, started the summer Show Wagon in the parks and hosted the weekly TV program Playground Champions. He enjoyed competing in marksmanship, golf and bowling, as well as hiking by the Missouri River. McKinnon will be remembered by his loving children: his daughters, Dr. Sandra (Gary Grahnquist) McKinnon of Richardson, Texas, Dr. Debra (Tom Ordway) McKinnon of Moscow, Idaho, and his son Robert McKinnon of Grapevine, Texas. He was also survived by his grandsons Sean Wakefield, Luke Ordway and Clay Ordway, and his granddaughter, Jennifer Grahnquist. McKinnon was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Bess McKinnon, who passed away only five months ago. 2012