Robert (Bobby) George Kinna August 9, 1938 – Nov. 6, 2023

Robert (Bobby) George Kinna, a much loved and respected husband, father, grandfather, brother, and community member, passed away on November 6, 2023, in Manhattan, MT, at the age of 85. His adoring wife Myrtle Mathews Kinna of 65 years was at his side. He was born on August 9, 1938, in Great Falls, MT, to John and Fern Kinna.

In 1958 he earned a two-year elementary education degree and then in 1964, a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, both at the college of Great Falls. In 1969 he earned a Master in Science in Education at Western Montana College. In 1998 he completed his Doctorate of Philosophy in Education at Kennedy Western University.

Robert’s first post was the Vaughn Elementary school as a teacher and a principal. He went on to a superintendent position in the Centerville District. He then moved on to the Wolf Point District until his retirement from the Montana system. Next was his acceptance of an administration position in Nome, Alaska. This began the adventure of his life. He went on to become vested in the Alaska system, retired for the second time and returned to Bozeman, Montana and family. In his senior years he moved to Manhattan, Montana.

To say Robert dedicated his life to education and that he was a respected administrator would be an understatement. He contributed to every aspect of a school, always with the students benefit and success in mind. He cleaned up after students, he drove students, retrieved truant students, protected abused students. He chased smoking students out of the restrooms (you know who you are!). He housed students when their families were snow bound. He had the heartbreaking task of attending funerals for students that tragically passed too young. He had cherished letters from students who found themselves fighting in Vietnam, some not returning home.

Dad repaired and drove buses, shoveled mountains of snow, swept gym floors, repaired vandalism. He also spent many sub-zero nights babysitting boiler systems in archaic school buildings. Literally hundreds of band, choir concerts and plays, graduations and award ceremonies he endured. We will never know the number of school athletic events he attended, but he was the guy with the ring of keys that locked up when everyone went home. He swore that after retirement he would never attend another band concert, but as his grandchildren entered public education, there he was in the audience offering support.

Mr. Kinna gave many new teachers their first jobs who then went on to long careers in education. He adored his office and support staffs at his schools, unable to function without them. In Nome he made a very progressive decision to have a valued staff member, who was on maternity leave, to return to work with her infant in tow.