Remembering Bob Kinsley

To the York College Community:

It is with profound sadness that I inform you of the passing on Monday of Bob Kinsley, Trustee Emeritus, past Board Chair of the Board of Trustees, and father of current Trustee, Jon Kinsley. Bob was a friend and champion for York College and our students.

A private service will be held later this summer. The family requests that expressions of sympathy be sent to condolences@rkinsley.com. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Gettysburg Foundation or York College of Pennsylvania.

Bob began his illustrious career working as a backhoe operator for a small building contractor after graduating from William Penn High School in 1958. The next summer, armed with knowledge on how to form a corporation provided by his York Junior College professor, he left that company and started a lawn grading business of his own.

Bob founded Kinsley Construction in 1963. The present day-to-day activities are managed by his five sons, who grew up in the business.

Bob’s engagement in civic affairs and charitable activities was extensive and meaningful. He worked tirelessly to create a dignified and technologically sophisticated visitors center in Gettysburg, as a tribute to the soldiers who fought there. The Gettysburg Foundation constructed and operates the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitors Center.

Bob also ably served his alma mater, as a trustee from 1986 to 2007, and as Board Chair, from 2007 to 2011. He and wife Anne made a transformative gift in 2017 to name The Kinsley School of Engineering, Sciences and Technology. Bob’s relationship with York’s engineering program dates back to its conception in 1993. He served on the search committee that hired the first director of engineering and remained very involved with the program, providing financial support in 2008 for the renovation of the former York Narrow Fabrics manufacturing facility into The Kinsley Engineering Center.

Bob was an incredible person who served as an example for us all. His values were clearly demonstrated by his actions – family, integrity, community. Importantly, Bob believed in providing opportunities for young people to succeed in life. He was instrumental in the founding of York College's highly successful engineering program. HIs legacy transcends the buildings and York College's School of Engineering, Sciences, and Technology, which bear the Kinsley name. It lies in the countless young people whose careers he launched.

Bob Kinsley was a champion for York College and, more importantly, for the students we serve. For this, we are forever grateful.

 

Sincerely,

Pamela Gunter-Smith, Ph.D.