Dr. Robert "Bob" D. McKenney

McKENNEY, Dr. Robert D. "Bob", Ed.D., age 87, of Rochester, died July 15, 2013, at his home. Bob was born July 1, 1926, in Detroit to the late Wilton and Irene (Dorion) McKenney. Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 17 during World War II. He was wounded in the Philippines and after the war he served in the Army of Occupation in Japan. For his distinguished service he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. Upon his return he earned his Bachelor's degree in Education from Michigan State University and his Master's, Specialist and Doctoral degrees at Wayne State University. His entire professional career was spent as an educator, arriving in Rochester in 1952 to teach mathematics. After teaching for many years at Central Junior High School he became the mathematics coordinator for teaching the "new math" to teachers and parents. The final years of his career were spent teaching at Rochester High School. Bob was a very gentle and compassionate man, loving home, family, friends, church and athletic activities. He was an avid golfer and tennis player. When asked how he was doing he would usually respond "As chipper as can be" with a big smile. An active member of the First Congregational Church, he served as a Boy Scout leader and as a Stephen Minister. Years after Bob retired from teaching, former students would remind him of his playful approach to learning as they recalled him saying when introducing a new problem, "Even my dog could do that!" He was the devoted husband and life partner of Gladys Holdeman McKenney whom he married on June 10, 1950. Bob was the loving father of Wayne (Susan) McKenney, the late Cathleen Renee McKenney, Michael (Rebekah) McKenney, Marcia (LeRoy) Schultz and Linda Graham. Also surviving are twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral Services followed by Military Honors will be Friday 11:00 a.m. at First Congregational Church, 1315 N. Pine Street in Rochester. Private burial will be in Mt. Avon Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday 2-4 & 6-9 p.m. at PIXLEY FUNERAL HOME, 322 W. University Drive in Rochester. Those who wish to celebrate Bob's life may choose to "do a good deed or kindness for someone" or to make a memorial gift in his name to the First Congregational Church or The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, MI. Please visit www.pixleyfuneral.com