Robert Gordon McKinnon

Robert Gordon McKinnon, my father, was often called "Bob," including by my mother. He was born in Randolph, Utah. He graduated from South Rich High School, where at the end of his Junior year he ran for Senior Class Student Body President, and won. He enjoyed this position thoroughly, and it was probably this experience that led him to become a school teacher himself.

After graduating from High School, he and his close friend Fay Kennedy enlisted, and his journal tells of many exciting adventures that he had during World War II as an aircraft mechanic. He contracted malaria during the war, and had to suffer from recurring bouts of that infamous disease over the years, including during his honeymoon. Thankfully, his last such was when my older brother Kent was born.

During the war he filmed several of the places he was stationed at. I hope soon to get those films digitized so they can be viewed online, by those who wish to do so.

He taught some classes in Randolph, but most of his teaching career was at South Davis Junior High School, once he and our family moved to Bountiful, Utah. He was the primary Science Teacher there for many years. He also acted as the school photographer, and took care of the salt-water Fish Tank in the principal's office.

Many of his former students, fellow-teachers, and associates attended his funeral. He spent the last several years of his life in an Alzheimers clinic, where he also suffered cancer and pneumonia, this last being the cause of his demise.

I visit his grave from time to time. I enjoy the view from his graveside... .he sunsets over the Great Salt Lake can be awesome, and he always did enjoy watching them.

He married my mother, Roene Price, on October 12, 1944, in the Salt Lake City Temple. Mother is resident in a life-care center in Bountiful, Utah. She is 89 years of age, and will be 90 years old in October.

SOURCE: Find A Grave.com