Robert "Bob" Edward McKinley Sr., age 97, of West Concord, MA, formerly of Milton Mills, NH, passed away in his sleep Thursday, July 6, 2023, surrounded by family.

He was married to Margaret "Susie" Hill McKinley for 60 years before she passed in 2018. He is survived by his son Eric and his wife, Mandy McKinley, daughter Laurie and her husband, David Avakian, and six grandchildren: Samuel and his wife Juliette, Sean, Tess, Lilia, Michael, and Nicholas. His oldest son, Robert Jr, predeceased him.

Bob was born on June 11, 1926, in Mineola, NY, the son of James McKinley and Charlotte Mebes. He was raised in Mineola, Long Island, NY. He has lived in Connecticut, Colorado, Idaho, and Maryland, but for over 40 years, most loved by both of them, Milton Mills, New Hampshire. He and Susie then moved to West Concord, Massachusetts, in 2015, where they could be close to their daughter Laurie and her family.
Bob graduated from Mineola High School in Long Island, NY. In his last year there, he served in the Coast Guard Reserve patrolling the Long Island beaches. At 18, he enlisted in the Army Air Force and served as a crew chief on B-29 bombers in the Philippines and Guam. After WWII, he attended Hofstra College and received a Degree in Engineering.

Upon graduation, Bob worked for Republic Aviation on the F-105 Thunderchief fighter/bomber. Later with American Machine and Foundry (AMF), he became responsible, in part, for the construction of Titan I nuclear missile silos. Following that, he landed his dream job working for Head Ski Company. He traveled the world designing and testing sporting equipment with skiing sensation Jean Claude Killy and tennis legend Arthur Ashe among others. Bob was a member of the 1968 U.S. Olympic Ski Team as an equipment specialist. Later he moved to Olin Skis and helped design and create the Mark I through to the legendary Mark IV ski. His final career move led him to Davidson Rubber Company in Farmington, NH. Upon retirement, Bob and Susie traveled the world, visiting countries in Europe, South America, and across our great nation.
Bob continued his skiing as a member of the National Ski Patrol and ski instructor. He loved spending time renovating and improving the family home. Bob thoroughly enjoyed life in New Hampshire and, forever challenging himself, climbed all its "4,000 footers" and those in Maine and Vermont. He devoted himself to his small town and the entire state as a member of the Milton Town planning board, a member/former Commander of American Legion Post 61 in Milton, NH, and a New Hampshire State Representative.

Bob lived a full life, taking every opportunity to do so, and instilled the same in everyone who knew him. All will sorely miss his sense of humor. Every moment he sought to help each person he encountered take life a little lighter. We want to think he left a legacy of memories that make you chuckle.

Funeral Services will be held at noon, Monday, July 17, 2023, at Peaslee Funeral Home, 24 Central St., Farmington, NH. A Visitation will be held immediately before Services from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Peaslee Funeral Home.Graveside Services with Military Honors will follow at 1:30 pm at the Milton Mills Cemetery, 428 Applebee Road, Milton Mills, NH 03852. A reception will be held following the Graveside Service at the American Legion Post #61 - 8 Steeple Street Milton, NH 03851.

If desired and in lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations in his memory to the Township of Milton Historical Society, P.O. Box 978, Milton, NH 03851. An open house with food and beverages will be held at Laurie's home, 22 N Branch Rd, West Concord on Saturday, July 15, at 6:30 pm.

To express condolences, please visit: www.peasleefuneralhome.com