David Kinkema ’57

David Roger Kinkema, age 87, of North Canton, passed away on June 9, 2022. David was born on March 9, 1935 in Albany, New York to the late Reverend and Mrs. Percy Kinkema. He received his B.A. in Sociology from Hope College in Holland, Michigan. After he graduated, he served two years in the Army, stationed in Wurzberg, Germany, as a member of the 3rd Infantry Division Precision Drill Team. After his service, David became the Youth Director of the YMCA in Aurora, Illinois, where he met his school teacher wife, Ruth. He then served six years as the Director of a YMCA branch in South Grand Rapids, Michigan before coming to North Canton as the Executive Director of the North Canton YMCA for 27 years. In the mid 1960s, David received his Masters of Science in group work at George Williams College in Chicago, where he worked with street gangs and counseled the incarcerated at Joliet State Prison. David was very active in the North Canton community, serving as a member, then President of the Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member and President of the Rotary Club, North Canton Board of Education, Meals on Wheels, Talk About Potential, Student Loan Foundation, Young Citizens Award, North Canton Community Intervention, and Retired Executives. He was Chairman of Athletes in Action Pro-week and served on both Walsh and Malone University Fund Drives. He also volunteered for many years at the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen with his wife Ruth. In 1987, David was the recipient of the North Canton Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award and Business Man of the Year. In 2007, he received the honor of being inducted into the Hoover Alumni Hall of Distinction. David was a member of First Friends Church in Canton, where he served as an elder, a member of the Servants Council Prayer Chain, Finance Committee, and co-chaired a capital campaign. Dave had a passion for collecting and studying Native American art and artifacts, both historic and pre-historic. He would often share his hobby by giving talks and sharing some of his knowledge and artifacts with elementary school classes and different clubs and organizations in and around North Canton. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his 3 children, their spouses, and 10 grandchildren. His eldest son, Dr. Mark Kinkema, wife Dr. Janelle and their daughter Tyler, live in Dallas, Texas. His other son, Bradley, wife Christina and three children Connor, Logan, and Zoe live in Collinsville, Virginia. His daughter, Amy, husband James and six children James, Carlin, McKenzie, Mia, Emily, and Molly live in Charlottesville, Virginia. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 55 years, Ruth Kinkema.