Robert E. "Bob" McKay

Robert E. "Bob" McKay, Captain USPHS (Ret.) 77, passed away at his home in Tucson, Arizona on December 29, 2009 after a brief struggle with pancreatic cancer. Bob was born on July 16, 1932, in Grand Junction, Colorado to James and Mabel McKay. Bob grew up in La Junta, Colorado where he became an Eagle Scout with the La Junta Koshare Boy Scout Indian dancing group, traveling throughout the United States performing authentic, traditional Indian dances with highlight performances at Madison Square Garden and for the President of the United States. Bob graduated from the University of Colorado, College of Pharmacy and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Public Health Service in 1954. Bob's career in the Public Health Service was long and distinguished, serving as a hospital pharmacy resident, Director of Hospital Pharmacy, Hospital Administrator, Health Care Administrator, Chief, Office of Program Services, Deputy Director, Acting Director, and Director of the Aberdeen Area Indian Health Service. In addition to his work for the Public Health Service, Bob earned a Master of Public Health with an emphasis in epidemiology from the University of Minnesota in 1965. In 1971, Bob moved to the Tucson area to become the Director of the Desert Willow Training Center with the Indian Health Services and later the Associate Director of the Office of Research and Development and worked with Yacqui leaders to help establish the first health care system for the Yacqui Indian tribe. After retirement from the PHS in 1981, he was an associate faculty member at the University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine and a faculty member at the University of Phoenix for over 15 years. Bob is survived by his wife of 26 years, Carole McKay and her children, Joseph John David IV (Elisa) and Lisa David Reed (Sean) of Mesa, Lori David Haines (Phil) of Las Vegas; grandchildren, Elizabeth and Audrey David, Austin and Haleigh Reed, Kelly and Ryan Haines. Also survived by second wife, Marilyn McKay and children, Robert Scott McKay and Kimberly McKay of Tucson and sister, Marilyn Park of WA. Bob was predeceased by first wife, Barbara Jean McKay. Surviving is their daughter, Judy Lynn Varon of WA; grandchildren, Jessica Varon Mather (Mike), Benjamin Varon and great-granddaughter, Emily Mather. Bob and Carole enjoyed traveling throughout the USA and Europe and spending time with grandchildren. A celebration of Bob's life will be held at his home on Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. For information please email mckay319@yahoo.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in the name of Bob McKay to the Catalina Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Public Health Service Commissioned Officers Foundation for the Advancement of Public Health or the charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES-AVALON CHAPEL (742-7901)