KILMARNOCK—Robert “Bob” McKay passed away on September 24, 2023, with his family by his side.
Bob was born March 5, 1944, in Linlithgow, Scotland. His family then moved to Crieff where he went to Crieff Primary School. At age 15 he went to Royal Signals Junior Leader Regiment, Denbury.
He served in the British Army in Germany, Cyprus, Malta and England. After his military service, work led him to the United States where he met his wife, Mary Ann. He worked in the telecommunications industry and was director of network management at Western Union. He also worked for MCI, Telecom USA, Worldcom and ended his career at Abovenet. He became a U.S. citizen in 1978. Bob also attended Columbia University.
Bob and Mary Ann moved to Glen Rock, New Jersey, where they lived for 32 years and raised their children, Laura and Robert. He was a member of the Jaycees and started their Glen Rock Arboretum Run. He was a coach for the Shooting Stars Soccer team for both his son and daughter. Bob was also appointed to the Glen Rock Recreation Council. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood where he served as an elder, worked on the annual church Fourth of July float and helped with the annual Christmas dinner.
He became an avid runner competing in 14 marathons. Bob ran in the NYC marathon four times. He also competed in Long Island, Mid Hudson and the Jersey Waterfront marathons multiple times. He was a member of the Ridgewood Road Runners Club.
Upon retirement he moved to Kilmarnock. He became a member of CERT/ARES and helped in traffic control at all the RGH COVID-19 clinics. He loved ham radio and participated in the ARES annual Field Day at Town Centre Park and participated weekly in their NET control. He recently joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 33.
Bob supported his wife in many of her volunteer activities. He was responsible for making the wooden steamboat kits for the Steamboat Era Museum’s children’s tours. He also helped her with the garden at the museum and grilled hotdogs for the museum’s crab festival. He helped with the set up of the Historyland Community Workshop’s Craft and Bake Sale and was a cashier at the sale. He was always ready to lend a hand.
Living in the Northern Neck was Bob’s happy place. He loved boating and sometimes fishing. Sitting on the deck and watching the boats and wildlife was one of his favorite things to do. He also enjoyed the occasional golf game.
Bob is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary Ann; daughter, Laura and son-in-law Devin of San Diego, Calif.; son, Robert of Woodland Park, N.J.; brothers, Ronnie (Morag), Derek (Lilian), and Raymond (Anne) of Crieff; and sister, Linda (Peter) of Aberdeen, Scotland. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Janet Campbell McKay of Crieff.
A memorial service will be held at noon Monday, October 16, at Currie Funeral Home. Visitation with family will be held at 11 a.m.
Contributions may be made to Lancaster County Treasurer, 8311 Mary Ball Rd., Lancaster, VA. 22503, Donation CERT/ARES; or the Steamboat Era Museum, P.O. Box 132, Irvington, VA 22480.
