Robert McKenzie: Aug. 24, 1948-Dec. 17, 2023

J. Robert “Skip” McKenzie, 75, of Kerrville, TX, passed away on December 17, 2023, in San Antonio, TX.

Skip was born in Sioux Falls, SD, to Bette P. and Robert M. McKenzie on August 24, 1948. He married Bonnie Youngblood on January 1, 1999, in Kerrville, TX.

Skip graduated from Washington Senior High School in Sioux Falls in 1966. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of South Dakota in 1971, followed by a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Augusta College in Sioux Falls in 1974. Finally, Skip earned a Bachelor of Science in Anesthesia from the University of South Dakota and completed a Program in Anesthesia for Nurses accredited by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists at McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls in 1976. He then moved to Big Spring, TX, where he practiced anesthesia until 2005. In 2005, he moved to Kerrville, where he continued to practice anesthesia until he retired at the age of 70.

Skip was preceded in death by his parents; a newborn sister, Mary Margaret who passed away shortly after birth; and an exceptional friend, Dr. Anand Mehendale.

Survivors include his wife, Bonnie; and son, John; step-children, John Youngblood and wife, Lisa, Ashley Szar and husband, Charlie, and Joni Rust and husband, Joey; step-grandchildren, Jake Youngblood, Louie May, Ben Szar, Anna Szar, Evan Youngblood, Kate Youngblood, and JC Rust; mother-in-law, Jeannette Howell; sister-in law, Laura Sweeney and her husband, Dr. Michael Sweeney; and numerous friends.

Skip was a lover of the great outdoors and enjoyed countless hours of water skiing, scuba diving, snow skiing, horseback riding, freshwater fishing, and bird hunting. He was an impressive marksman, a natural general aviation pilot, and an avid reader, especially of history.

A private family celebration of Skip’s incredible life will be held at a later date.