Robert (Bob) E. McKiness

Robert (Bob) E. McKiness, passed away September 25, 2009 at the IOOF Home in Mason City.
Bob was born December 29, 1917 to Hugh and Bernadetta (Jansen) McKiness. He graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School in Mason City in 1935. Graduating from Mason City Junior College in 1937, he attended Iowa State College in the field of landscape architecture.
In 1939, Bob started McKiness Landscaping which became McKiness Excavating. Bob married Maxine Collins on December 19, 1939. In the first years of marriage, Bob served in World War II, stationed in the South Pacific. Honorably discharged from the army, Bob resumed his landscaping business. Committed to hard work and trying times, he managed to mesh his strong work ethic and frugal ways as the business grew. Steadily, he moved more and more into the excavating business which operates now.
Bob was the type of man who favored in slowly building his business. He bought machines as he could afford them, and worked long hours after business operation to maintain equipment. He eventually was able to purchase one the first backhoes in Mason City after digging endless basements with a track loader. He raised his sons to get up early for chores before school, and required them to work for the business after the school day. Maxine worked alongside him as wife, mother, and bookkeeper.
Bob was never one for recognition, but when asked by one of his sons if he wanted his name engraved on the Veterans monument in City Park, Bob simply wanted his name and year of starting business painted on a huge, granite rock on his property.
Bobs entire life was spent as an active man, Hed broken many bones along the way as he worked, and even after a battery blew up and nearly blinded him in one eye, he kept on. His mind remained sharp and intelligent much longer than his body. His torture was not being able to run the Cats he knew and loved so much. His spirit to regain his mobility lived in him until the end.
In his younger years Bob race go-karts, shot trap, and often skied in Minnesota and Colorado. He and Maxines favorite ski area was Snowmass Mountain in Aspen, CO. In later life, Bob and Maxine enjoyed fishing in northern Minnesota and Florida.
Bobs wish is that there be no service after his passing. He wishes to be cremated and joined with Maxine in a beautiful setting on their property.
Bob is survived by sons, Mike (Pam) of Clear Lake, Jack, Bob (Suzan), and Craig, all of Mason City. Grandchildren are Sonja, Garett, and Keely and great-grandson, Michael. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Maxine, son Doug, brother Dan, and sister June. Memorials may be contributed to Hospice of Mason City.