Lynn LeRoy Kinder

March 19, 1956 - January 22, 2013

Lynn Kinder passed away on January 22, 2013 at the age of 56. Lynn was the oldest son of Ron and Julianne Kinder's 5 children and was born at Sacred Heart Hospital in Havre, Montana on March 13, 1956. When he was born the doctor said he had the biggest set of shoulders he had ever seen on a baby. Lynn was primarily raised in a small community in northern Montana in a town by the name of Rudyard. When Lynn reached about the sixth grade, Lynn's dad began farming on a piece of land 11 miles south of town. Lynn and his brothers worked on the farm from that point until they eventually graduated and left the home. The farm gave Lynn an appreciation for things mechanical and taught him what hard work was from an early age. At 11 years old he was running the tractor, plowing the fields, picking rock, harvesting, riding motorcycles and tearing around in a '57 Chevy. Lynn's interests included science fiction, technology, cars, motorcycles, and girls. When Lynn was 16 he decided to run off to Canada with two girlfriends. When he reached the border, the border patrol couldn't believe their eyes when this young man rode up on a 305 Scrambler in a full leg cast and two girls riding on the back. Needless to say, the border patrol turned them back and sent them home. After Lynn graduated from high school, he attended DeVry Institute of Technology in Phoenix, Arizona and graduated in 1977. Lynn married and from there Lynn and his wife moved to the San Jose, California area where he would spend most of his adult life. Lynn’s first job was with a start-up company, Kasper Systems, where he became a Semiconductor Equipment Engineer. There, Lynn maintained equipment used in the production of memory and microprocessor chips. Lynn was entering the electronics field just at the time Silicon Valley was about to take off due to the invention and mass production of the personal computer. Lynn loved being a part of this revolutionary time in the history of our world. No one had ever seen anything like it and Lynn felt lucky and exhilarated to be in the middle of it. Over the course of Lynn's career, he worked for several equipment manufacturers that designed and manufactured multi-million dollar machines used by companies such as Intel and AMD. His work took him to several countries including; Japan, France and Holland to train and work on equipment in overseas plants. The breadth of knowledge required to work on this equipment, was vast. Lynn's job required a knowledge of pneumatics, robotics, computer control, laser technology and optics. In 1983, Lynn was blessed with his first child, a son, Adam Leroy. Two years later, his "Princess", Sarah Marie came into the world. Lynn's children were his pride and joy. Adam grew up to become Lynn's very closest friend, and nothing could make him light up like the mere mention of Sarah's name. Lynn always had a way with children, as he loved them unconditionally. They were as drawn to him, as he was to them. His first heart attack and surgery occurred in Vermont in 1993, Lynn was 36. This had an affect on Lynn, as one can imagine. In the next ten years, it became increasingly difficult to perform the demanding duties required as an engineer. He remained in San Jose and spent a lot of time with his brother Gerry and Gerry's wife Bobbi Jo. He was present for most events involving his nieces and nephews, who grew very close to Lynn, as he did with them. They called him their “second Dad”. In his final years, Lynn spent a few years in Montana near his brother Greg and his dad. He eventually moved to Carson City near his mother, step father, sister Ronda, his Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Wayne, Aunt Pat and nieces and nephew. Lynn suffered terribly from rheumatoid arthritis and many days, he was in excruciating pain. He bought a house in Carson City and proceeded to make it home. He painted his mailbox the colors of a John Deere tractor, and set up his NASA models all around the living room. When his sister, Ronda, asked him to watch her son, Rhys, for her once a week, he jumped at the opportunity. Soon, his home was filled with toys and contraptions Uncle Lynn designed for his favorite little guy. Sometime on the night of January 22nd, 2013, Lynn sat down in his favorite chair, laid his head back and went to sleep. When he awoke, he was surrounded by angels, waiting to take him home. Lynn’s final days were peaceful and happy, as he had come to a place of forgiveness and gratitude, and was surrounded with love. Those that knew Lynn, loved him immensely. He loved to laugh and loved his family. Lynn's smile, unassuming demeanor and loving manner will be missed by everyone blessed to have had his presence in their lives. Services were held in Carson City, NV at Autumn Funeral Home on Monday, January 28th, 2013, with Sister Marie McGoin officiating. Kenny Kinder played guitar and sang “Fire and Rain”, by James Taylor; Kendra Kinder, accompanied by Kenny Kinder on guitar, sang “Amazing Grace”; Greg Kinder played guitar and sang “Brother, I’m Gonna Miss You”, a song he wrote for Lynn after his death; Kenny Kinder, Gerry Kinder, Greg Kinder and Ronda Kinder, accompanied by Geoffrey Kinder and Chais Kinder on guitar, sang “Wish You Were Here”, by Pink Floyd; a slideshow, arranged by Ronda Kinder and accompanied by “Shine On, You Crazy Diamond“, by Pink Floyd, was also presented. Lynn is survived by his father Ron Kinder, Great Falls, MT, his mother and step father Julie and Jim Watt, Carson City, NV, son Adam (Carrie) Phoenix, AZ, his daughter Sarah Kinder, Phoenix, AZ, his two adorable twin granddaughters, Hayden and Avery Kinder, his brothers Greg (Elizabeth) Great Falls, MT, Gerry (Bobbi Jo) San Jose, CA, Kenny (Becky) Longview, WA, his sister, Ronda Snyder, Carson City, NV, his step-sister, Emma (Bill) Brown, Billings, MT, along with his many nieces and nephews.