Robert Wayne Kinney

Robert Wayne Kinney was born December 21, 1945, in Concord, New Hampshire, the only son of the late Edna M. and Paul W. Kinney.  He attended schools in Concord and college at Sir George Williams University (now Concordia University) in Montreal, Canada, where he graduated with a BA.

Bob worked for the YMCA for some years, and was director of YMCA youth camps in Manchester, NH and South Bend, IN.  He worked as a YMCA Branch Executive Director in Richmond, VA.  Also in Richmond, he worked as Procedures and Work Measurement Analyst for BEST Products.  He later moved to Baton Rouge, where he was Manager of Corporate Services for H. J. Wilson.  He became a founding member of the Baton Rouge MCC.

In 1984, Bob began working for The Home Depot in Atlanta.  He was Senior Manager of Corporate Services with them until his retirement.  In Atlanta, Bob was active at All Saints MCC, where he was a deacon.  He was also a staunch supporter of BALM Ministries.

In 1998, Bob moved to Seattle, WA, where he became involved as a volunteer for the Seattle Men's Chorus, and served on many boards and committees at All Pilgrims Christian Church.  He was active at fundraising for the church organ. 

In 2007, he moved to Charleston, where he volunteered at Grace Episcopal Church at the Gifts of Grace Bookshoppe and the annual Grace Tea Room.  He also supported different community organizations such as AFFA and LAS with his time and in-kind gifts.  He later returned to the workforce at Publix Supermarket on Dorchester Road, working as a cashier and in the Aprons program.

Bob was a great lover of dogs and rescued many, giving them a wonderful home and a life better than any they had known.  He was always a warmhearted and generous person, freely giving aid to those in need.  He was deeply loyal to his friends, of which he had many all over the country.

Bob died of heart complications in his home on May 5, 2011.  He is survived by his first cousins, Betsy K. Hamre of Spokane, WA and Susan K. Hunter of Venice, FL; his family of choice; and many, many friends.  His passing leaves a gap in our lives that can never be filled.

A memorial service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, 98 Wentworth Street, Charleston, SC 29401 www.gracechurchcharleston.org on Saturday, May 28^th at 1:00 pm with a reception to follow in the Garden of Remembrance.  It was Bob's request that this should be a celebration of life, with people dressed in bright colors.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grace Flower Guild, 98 Wentworth Street, Charleston, SC 29401, or the Charleston Animal Society, 2455 Remount Road, North Charleston, SC 29406, or the American Heart Association of SC, 409 King Street, Suite 300, Charleston, SC  29403, or the American Diabetes Association, 2711 Middleburg Drive, Suite 108-B, Columbia, SC  29204.

Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL.