Robert McKinney

Dr. Robert W. “Bob” McKinney, a longtime resident of Frederick, died on Thursday, July 16, 2015 at the age of 91.  Dr. McKinney worked extensively at Fort Detrick and at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda.

He was born in Terre Haute, Indiana on April 20, 1924, the third child of Charles Leland McKinney and Minny Strassler McKinney.  Following graduation from Wiley High School in 1942, he went to work as a steam locomotive fireman on the Pennsylvania Railroad.  In 1943, he enlisted in the Navy as a pharmacist’s apprentice.  Following the end of World War II, he enrolled at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology.  While at Indiana State, Bob McKinney met and married Florette “Folly” LaFollette of Shelburn, Indiana, who graduated with a degree in Biology.  Bob then attended New York University on a teaching fellowship, earning a Master’s Degree in Microbiology in 1949.

His first time in Maryland was spent on the Eastern Shore, where he worked as laboratory chief for the Maryland State Department of Health.  In 1951, he was called to active duty in the US Army and was assigned to the hospital at Fort Indian Town Gap in Pennsylvania.  Only a year later, Lt. McKinney transferred to the Presidio in San Francisco.  During this time his first son, Joseph J. “Jeff” McKinney was born.  Bob was soon assigned to attend the University of Michigan, where he earned a Ph.D. in Epidemiologic Science.  He then returned to San Francisco, where his second son, David W. McKinney, was born.  In 1960, he was assigned to Fort Detrick as Chief of Microbiology for the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID).

His research at USAMRIID focused extensively on tropical diseases, in particular, Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis (VEE), a disease that can affect animals and humans alike.  His research led to the development of a vaccine for VEE that is still used today.

In 1967, he was assigned as the commander of the 9th Medical Lab in Saigon, Viet Nam.  He returned to Fort Detrick in 1968, receiving the Bronze Star medal, and became the project manager for a new USAMRIID research facility.  Following completion of the new facility, he traveled to Central America as an advisor to several countries on the distribution of the VEE vaccine to stem an epidemic.  In the months that he was there, over 10 million horses and livestock were vaccinated, stopping the spread of the disease.  During his Army career, he published 14 research papers.

Lt Col McKinney retired from the Army in 1970, receiving the Legion of Merit.  Following a brief period with medical industry, Dr. McKinney joined the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, serving as Director of Safety.  His duties included not only oversight of physical safety at NIH, but extended into the safety practices and protocols for all laboratories on and off the NIH campus that received funding from the institutes.  While at NIH, he published another 13 research papers.  He received the NIH Director’s Award in 1991 and 2001.  He retired from NIH in 2002.

Bob stayed in Frederick for the remainder of his life.  He was predeceased by his loving wife of 55 years, Folly, his parents Charles and Minnie McKinney, Daughter-in-law Dawn McKinney, and great-grandson David Canizales.  He is survived by his two sons, Jeff (Karen) and David (Karen), and by several grandchildren: Nicholas (Vanessa), Tara, Michelle, Robin, Katie, and Ryan.  Great-grandchildren include Elizabeth, Scarlett, Jonathan, and Tahliya.

Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery.  No memorial service is planned.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that friends consider a donation to the Robert McKinney Memorial Fund at Visitation Academy of Frederick, 200 E 2nd Street, Frederick MD  21701.  Contact Ms. Cindy Cantrel at 301-662-2814 for more information.