Robert Bruce McKinstry, MD

Age 98
Loving Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, and Friend.

Robert Bruce McKinstry, 98, died at Kendal at Longwood, Kennett Square on December 22, 2023. Dr. Bob, as he was known, served the Kennett community as the towns doctor for many years. He delivered many babies, made house calls and is still remembered affectionately.

Born June 19, 1925, Bob lived in Kennett Square his entire life. He was the third child of Sara Weisel and Herbert Sydney McKinstry following older sister Eleanore and older brother Herb. Bob attended the Kennett public schools and graduated from Kennett High School in 1943.

During World War II, Bob studied engineering at MIT and the University of Illinois in the Navys V-12 Program, graduating with a degree in electrical engineering. After graduation, he served in the Navy and after his discharge, worked for General Electric. At this point, Bob reconsidered his career path and decided to follow in his fathers footsteps and become a doctor. He attended Lafayette College for an additional year to earn the credits necessary for medical school and earned his MD at Hahnemann Medical College, where his father and uncle had gone. After serving his internship at Atlantic City Hospital, Bob joined his father in his Kennett Square medical practice as a general practitioner.

Bob met Mary Elizabeth (Betsy) Romig when she was in 6th grade and he in 7th. They married in 1950 in a Quaker ceremony at Kennett Friends Meeting. They had four children, Robert Jr. (Bobby), Mary (Polly), Elizabeth (Beppy) and John. To accommodate the growing family, they accepted Betsys parents invitation to build a house on their farm, Romeade. Bob and Betsy were devoted attendees of their childrens and grandchildrens sporting events, enjoyed extended family vacations in Vermont and loved spending time with their close circle of friends in Kennett.

Bob was multi-talented. He played varsity soccer in high school and college. When not practicing medicine, he enjoyed swimming, tennis, golfing and taking care of the farm. He was a talented musician, enjoying singing and playing the oboe in the Kennett Symphony Orchestra, as well as the clarinet and saxophone. In his spare time, he spent many hours mowing fields, fixing fences, maintaining his vast vegetable garden, building and maintaining his clay tennis court, and raising sheep, goats and many dogs throughout his life. A talented craftsman, Bob built beautiful furniture and could fix anything! He also devoted time to community service. He served on the Kennett School Board and the Chester County Board of Health and raised money from physicians for the United Way. He was a member of Kennett Meeting and served on various committees there.

Bob is predeceased by his brother and sister and his wife Betsy and was immediately followed in death by his partner, Shirley Kraft. He is survived by his four children, eight grandchildren (Andrew, Spencer, Katherine, Erin, Luke, Troy, Casey and Sam), six great-grandchildren (Sylvia, Graham, Mabel, Eleanor, Reid, Tommy and Murray) and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a memorial service Thursday, December 28 at 11am at Kennett Friends Meetinghouse, 125 West Sickle Street, Kennett Square.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Kennett Friends Meeting, Westtown School or the Kennett Library.

To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com

Arrangements by the Kuzo Funeral Home, Kennett Square, PA.

Message from the Family

Thank you for your support during this difficult time.

Please enhance this tribute to Bob by adding your memories.

Kennett Friends Meeting, Westtown School or the Kennett Library.


Services

Memorial Service
December 28, 2023 11:00
Kennett Friends Meetinghouse
125 West Sickle Street
Kennett Square, PA

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