Robert T. Kinder

Robert Thomas Kinder, Bob, born June 13, 1934 in Columbia, Missouri, was the firstborn and only son to Quinton B. Kinder, Professor of Agriculture-Poultry division at the University of Missouri, and Mary V. (Lockwood) Kinder. Sister Mary Beth came along in 1943, and lived a joy filled life marked with cancer and lost her battle at the young age of 15. Bob's formative years were spent in Warsaw, Mo and Columbia, Mo where he learned how to raise chickens, hunt, catch fish and played sandlot ball. He was an avid sports fan and was a proud "Kewpie" for Columbia Hickman High School. Bob also played baseball in the minor leagues in South Dakota in his late teen years. Bob continued to be an avid sports fan and University of Missouri Tigers fan ALL his life. Bob enlisted in the Army in 1953 and served as a courier during the Korean War. After honorable discharge Bob continued his service in the National Guard. Bob told fond memories of the beautiful forests in the state of Oregon during his time with the guard in the Forestry division. After his National Guard duty, Bob relocated to Evanston, Illinois, where his Aunt Angeline and Uncle, Brg. Gen. Harry M Craig, resided. Bob then began a career as an Accounts Manager with General Finance Corporation. It was here he met Nancy "Sue" Christensen, a Secretary at General Finance, and they went on a "coke" date…as they were called at the time! Neither much cared for the other at this first date. However, they had the same circle of friends and came to be quite fond of one another. Bob and Sue married October 2, 1959…the couple "voted" by their friends as the least likely to remain married. Funny…here was Bob, the son of a poultry farmer ….and Sue, a woman who didn't like to eat poultry! Bob was asked about this fact and he smiled and proudly said he had no complaints. God's design of bringing two people together in marriage was seen in the love and friendship Bob and Sue had for each other. Theirs was a true partnership that was blessed as they celebrated 54 years of marriage this past October. Bob began a banking career with National Boulevard Bank in Chicago late in 1960. He became an investment banker and served with various institutions throughout his life in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. Bob and Sue relocated to sunny Florida in 2001 and began a new chapter in their life-full of new friends, the loss of some older friends, family and an abundance of warm weather. Bob's greatest joy in life was his family. He and Sue have three beautiful daughters, Karla, Robyn and Beth who reside in the Kansas City area. Karla and her husband Bruce, have a married daughter, Leah and her husband Justin; and a son, Luke who will be graduating from University of Arkansas in May. Robyn and her husband Dave, have two sons, Taylor, a sophomore attending Blue River Community College, and Kyle, a sophomore in high school. Beth and her husband Jim, have a daughter Kelsee, a freshman at University of Missouri; Jacob a freshman in high school and Daniel, a 5th grader. Bob was a "softy" at heart and often humbly spoke of God's greatest blessing upon his life…the gift of family and the family unit. His family fondly remembers him crying at old war movies and Hallmark card commercials. He was a patriotic soul and often ensured that friends and neighbors displayed their U.S. Flags in honor of our country and those who bravely served it. Bob had a competitive spirit and enjoyed playing games of all kinds; bridge, poker with the "boys", tennis coach with the "gals" and especially loved splashing in the Gulf with his kids and grandkids. Bob and Sue enjoyed serving for and with their church home, Aldersgate United Methodist, 9530 Starkey Road, Seminole, Florida 33777. A Memorial Service celebrating Bob's life and eternal reward of heaven will be held at the church, Friday, January 31, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.