Robert E McKinstry

Robert Emmett McKinstry Birth: October 12, 1922 Chicago, Cook County, Illinois Death: March 19, 2012 son of Ross Waldron McKinstry and Lillian Irene Clappison

Robert Emmett McKinstry died on March 19, 2012.

He was born October 12, 1922, in Chicago, Illinois, where he spent his childhood years growing up in the suburb of Hinsdale, IL.

Mr. McKinstry attended and graduated from Culver Military Academy in 1941. It was there that he met his wife, Helen Jane, who was the daughter of the director of admissions, John W. Henderson.

He attended Cornell University to study industrial engineering, but was interrupted by the call to WWII. He joined the army as a lieutenant and later joined the Army Air Corps. There, he became a fighter pilot instructor for U.S. pilots and also Chinese officer pilots.

Following the war, he and his bride lived on and worked the family farm in Elburn, IL, with their children.

A short time later, the family moved back to Hinsdale when he began a long career with United Airlines where he was able to pursue his love of flying. He flew many different planes over his career, from DC-3 cargo planes to the modern jets. He retired in 1982 as the senior pilot flying the jumbo 747 jet. His favorite plane to fly, however, was the sleek 727, which he referred to as a flying sports car.

After retirement, Mr. McKinstry continued to fly for Whalen Industries out of Easton, MD. Mr. McKinstry was instrumental in the development of the Easton Airport as a major hub for corporate planes.

During his career with United, he and his wife moved to Annapolis, MD, in 1965, where they were members of the Annapolis Yacht Club. In 1972, they relocated to Easton, on the Eastern Shore, where they pursued a life and love affair with the area.

The McKinstrys were members of the Tred Avon Yacht Club, Talbot County Country Club, and The S ailing Club of the Chesapeake. They spent many days and weeks cruising the Chesapeake Bay and points beyond with family and close friends.

Bob McKinstry will be greatly missed by all. His beloved wife, Helen Jane, passed away on May 1, 2010.

He is survived by four children; Michael W McKinstry of Colorado Springs, CO, Anne M. Dunnington-Siergiej of Ambler, PA, Mary M. Marriner of Marietta, GA, and Robert E McKinstry, Jr. of Palm Bay, FL; his sister, Mary Turk of Pasadena, CA; seven grandchildren; one step-grandchild; and thirteen great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2012, at Christ Church in St. Michaels, MD.

A private burial will be held in Culver, IN.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to Talbot Hospice Foundation, 586 Cynwood Drive, Easton, Maryland 21601.

married 18 Oct 1942 Indiana Helen Jane Henderson Birth 25 Oct 1923 Culver, Marshall County, Indiana Death 1 May 2010 Easton, Talbot County, Maryland Burial Culver Masonic Cemetery Culver, Marshall County, Indiana daughter of Col John William Henderson and Norma Vina Wilson

Helen Jane (Henderson) McKinstry died on May 1, 2010. She was 86 years old.

Born in Culver, Indiana on October 25, 1923, she was the daughter of the late, Col. John W. and Norma Vina Wilson Henderson.

After high school, she attended McMurray College in Jacksonville, IL. On October 18, 1942, she married Robert E. McKinstry in Culver, IN.

They made their home in Illinois. The McKinstrys moved first to Gloucester, VA, then to Wayne, IL, and finally to Annapolis, where they lived until 1973. The family then moved to Easton, MD.

Mrs. McKinstry was a former member of the Junior League of Chicago. She was a member of Christ Church in St. Michaels, MD.

She was an avid gardener. She enjoyed making clothing for and collecting antique dolls, making large Christmas wreaths, and creating crewel and needle point embroidery. She also loved to make doll houses and decorate them with hand crafted miniature rooms of the Oriental, traditional, and Victorian style.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Michael W. McKinstry of Colorado Springs, CO, Anne M. Dunnington of Ambler/Philadelphia, PA, Mary M. Marriner of Marietta, GA, and Robert E. McKinstry, Jr. of Palm Bay, FL; her siblings, Robert W. Henderson of Tucson, AZ, Mary Alice Hassett of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Norma Joyce MacNab of Pioneer, CA and James A. Henderson of Columbus, IN; eight grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her brother, J. William Henderson.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 8 at Christ Church in St. Michaels, MD.

A reception will follow at the parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mrs. McKinstry's memory to the Johns Hopkins University, Department of Psychology, Dementia Research, attn: Laura Barrick, 100 N. Charles St., Suite 410, Baltimore, MD 21201.