Well-known former Holstein World editor Robert M. “Whitey” McKown died on January 23 in Doylestown, Pa. at the age of 82 following complications from a heart attack. An icon in the Holstein industry, he had traveled to 40 states, Canada, Mexico and Japan during his career which spanned 43 years working with Holstein World readers, advertisers and fellow Holstein enthusiasts. He was an editor of the Pennsylvania Holstein News and Holstein World from 1960 until his retirement in 1999. In 1995, he was named Dairy Industry Person of the Year at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis. and in 2005 he was named New York Master Breeder. Whitey was a favorite master of ceremonies at Holstein industry events.
He was born in 1926 to Paul and Florence Swank McKown in Apollo, Pa. He was a member of Apollo High School class of 1944 and Pennsylvania State University class of 1950 where he played varsity basketball. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corp. as a cryptographer 1944-46. He was a 50 year member of the Masons (32nd degree), China-Burma-India Veterans Assn., Sandy Creek United Methodist Church, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Klussendorf Assn., Dairy Shrine (President 1986-87), Holstein Assn. in several states. Formerly he served as Boy Scout Troop 30 Committee Chairman, President of the Sandy Creek Service Club, and coached Little League.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, the former Jeanne Young, sons Robert (Sandra) of Brevard, NC, Christopher (Abby Johnson) of Milton, MA and daughter Susan Holihan (Russ) of Doylestown, PA and five granddaughters. His parents and brother, Paul, predeceased him.
Calling hours will be at 3:00 PM Saturday, January 31 at Doylestown United Methodist Church, 320 East Swamp Road, Doylestown, PA, followed by a memorial service at 4:00 PM. A memorial service will be held in Sandy Creek at a later date.
Contributions may be made to Sandy Creek United Methodist Church, Box 158, Sandy Creek, NY 13145; or to the “Whitey McKown Fund” which will be used to grant an annual award for excellence in Holstein breeding (mail to Horace Backus, Box 69, Mexico, NY 13114).