PIERRE, SD – Robert Kinsella,68, of Pierre died on Saturday, July 20th at his home surrounded by his family. Robert’s family would like to invite everyone to join them starting at 5:30 on Wednesday, August 14th at the Casey Tibbs Center in Ft. Pierre for a time of sharing followed by a meal and time fellowship. Memorials may be directed to Countryside Support and Memory Center in Pierre.

For those who had the opportunity to know Bob, their world will have a lot less laughter after his passing. He possessed a naturally witty and dry sense of humor and will be remembered for his many one liner’s he so frequently used. He also inherited the great gift of storytelling from generations before him and he never failed to intrigue those listening for the first time or perhaps the fifth.

Robert Charles Kinsella was born to Robert Richard and Heather Ann (Gregg) Kinsella. He was born in Pierre, SD, on October 28, 1955, on his delivering physician’s birthday (Dr. Charles Swanson), thus providing him with his middle name. Bob and Heather brought Bobby home to The Pocket area east of Pierre, where he joined sisters Karen and Kathy and brothers Tom and Pat in the family. Twins Susan and Sarah and sister Tessie joined the family later. Growing up near his grandparent’s, Boots and Ann (Abernathy) Gregg, allowed for many family gatherings and childhood adventures with his Gregg, Cowan and Bartlett cousins. He and his siblings attended Busy Bee country school, which was a great source of fun and unending storytelling in his later years. The area where the family’s home sat on was part of what would become flooded for the development of the Corps of Engineers’ dam systems in South Dakota and in the early 1960’s the family relocated to Pierre. Bob lost his father at the age of 14 and began working at that age as an overnight dispatcher for City Cab as he continued his schooling. He later worked at Lariat Lanes and was one of the first employees for Taco John’s and Pizza Hut when these chains started up in Pierre.

Graduating from Pierre Riggs High School with the Class of 1973 at the age of 17, he went on to attend school in Minneapolis, MN to pursue a certification in Medical Technology. He secured his first job at St. Mary’s Hospital Laboratory at 19 and continued to work there for over 30 years. During this time, he went on to further his education and received his degree as a Medical Technologist. He embraced the mission of the Benedictine nuns and was a strong advocate of their programs, serving on various boards and committees during his employment. After leaving St. Mary’s, he held positions at the South Dakota State Health Lab in Pierre, Redfield’s Community Memorial Hospital, and most recently at the Veterans Administration’s Clinic in Pierre. He loved his chosen profession and often shared that the veterans he came in contact with during his last “gig” were the greatest population he has ever had the privilege of serving.

In 1978, he met and later married Maxine (Hull) Smith and welcomed her two children, Jason and Mistie, as they began their journey as a family. They expanded their family as Kaleigh, Brooke, and Keegan were born to them. The couple spent over 45 years together, 18 of which they were married. They were close friends, lifelong advocates of each other, and dedicated to parenting their children and supporting each of them throughout their life. In 1992, the couple embarked on a business venture with her brother and sister-in-law. Bob was integral in offering support for the project throughout their time at Dakota Heritage House, operated as a residential living facility for the elderly in Pierre for nearly 28 years.

Being a private man, he enjoyed sharing his life with those closest to him and whom he loved. His favorite activities were small family gatherings, skiing, fishing, trips to the Black Hills with family and friends, cards, game nights, and a great love of music which took him to many concerts over the years and caused him to run out of competitors in the game Song Pop. He was proud of his Irish heritage and one of the highlights of his life was traveling to Ireland with his uncle Art Cowan. This excursion provided many great stories for Bob to add to his repertoire over the years.

Bob considered his family to be his greatest accomplishment in life. He was a proud, caring, and loyal man who offered encouragement when needed, discipline when necessary, and always his unconditional and unwavering love. He was affectionately called “Bumpa” by his grandchildren and loved watching them grow. Over the years his family expanded to include great-grandchildren. He ended phone calls with a loud “Roar,” which was his way of saying he loved you. He was also the favorite dad to many of his children’s friends throughout the years. He was there for them when they needed advice, friendship, support or just a soft place to land when life got complicated. With the love, determination, and caring nature that his children acquired through their life experiences, Bob was able to spend the last two months of his life at home surrounded by his family, living out his last requests, (sans a few Kool’s). He passed away at home on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at the age of 68.

Those passing before him include his parents, Robert and Heather; his paternal and maternal grandparents, aunts & uncles, along with some of his cousins; and In-Laws, Dave, Connie, and Ed Hull and Marge Poulson.

He is survived by many loved ones including his life partner, Maxine Kinsella, children & grandchildren; Jason J. (Roxanne) Smith (Joshua (Dani), Jamison, Jasie); Mistie (Kyle) McKeever (Michaela (Connor) Landberg and children Leighton, Cruz and Kove, Tyson (Morgen) O’Daniel, children Brantley, Layke and Kopelyn, and Jaden O’Daniel); Kaleigh (Pranav) Kinsella (Atticus Root, Cadence Root); Brooke Kinsella (Lennon, Kinsella “Ella”, Harrison “Paddy”); and Keegan Kinsella. Siblings; Karen, Kathy, Tom (Dena) Kinsella, Pat (Pam) Kinsella, Susan (Ken) Markley, Sarah (Cody) Smith and Tessie. Brother’s-in-Law; John (Jeane) Hull and Jim (Lisa) Hull. Close friends; Jon Vander Maten and Eric Peterson, along with many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins and a number of friends he treasured.

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