ROBERT N. MCKINNEY
Robert Norman McKinney, age 94, passed away December 14, 2021 in his home in Sun City, California. He was born November 16, 1927 to parents Marjorie and Ray McKinney in Orafino, Nebraska. Bob graduated from Cambridge High School in Cambridge, Nebraska and then enlisted in the Navy during World War II. Following his honorable discharge he completed his degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Bob married Anjula Dick, also from Cambridge, while at UNL. Three children were born into this union, Jennifer, Daniel, and Kelly.
As a successful young civil engineer he quickly moved up the professional ranks and in 1964 Bob became the Chief Engineer of the Ventura River Municipal Water District (VRMWD) in Oak View, California. A few short years later he became the General Manager and Chief Engineer of VRMWD. Bob was one of a select group of engineers in the country to consult in the design of what is known as the California Water Project, designed to bring water resources from Northern California to Southern California. At his retirement dinner several legislators including the Governor of California passed resolutions acknowledging his engineering wisdom and demonstrated competency. In 1984 the Olympic Rowing Events were held in Lake Casitas, the domestic water source of VRMWD. Bob consulted with Peter Ueberroth and the Olympic Committee in preparation for those events.
Bob is survived by his wife Loretta, his daughter Jennifer, son Daniel (and wife Lori), stepson Jerry, stepdaughters Jana and Julie, and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As well, he has many nieces and nephews. In particular, the Moore family nieces and nephews, also originally from Cambridge, refer affectionately to Bob as “Uncle Normie”. He is predeceased by his son, Kelly, his parents, and his siblings Gerald and Willabelle (and her husband Rolland Moore of Cambridge).
Bob is known for his most effective leadership, sense of humor, wisdom, and his faith in Jesus Christ. As patriarch of his family, he touched the lives of all with his charming stories which were always strewn with wisdom and love.
A memorial service was held on February 18, 2022 at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California.
