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David Kinne
DAVID WISNER KINNE, died Friday, March 19, 2021 at Mercy General Hospital, Redding, Calif., from complications of sepsis. Born June 15, 1945, he was a son of George Henderson Kinne and Alice McGahey Kinne. He graduated from North Side High in Fort Wayne where he was a cheerleader and an actor in theatrical productions. While in high school, his employer, Peoples Trust Bank, sent him to IBM coding school, launching a lifelong love of computing. David "broke the curve" achieving one of the highest scores ever recorded on IBM's pre-employment aptitude test administered by IBM since 1946. He attended Indiana University for one year and then left to marry his first wife, Judy Willits and meet the world head-on, armed with the smile and the guile of an actor / cheerleader, while supporting his family as a bartender, guitar player, Molybdenum miner, writer, actor, housewares salesman, workshop presenter, and life coach. His interests included photography, magic, trick shooting, tomato growing, and collecting guitars and banjos. Among his professional accomplishments was owning and operating a commercial slide and presentation business in Burbank, Calif., with clients Disney Co., Dole Foods and various studio vendors. David was a member of the Screen Actors Guild and was an accomplished writer contributing to scripts behind the scenes on several network TV series. While with Fred Pryor Seminars he appeared on Bloomberg News and other outlets speaking on work productivity topics. A graduate of the Landmark Forum he was interested in transformation of his communities and the world. David was an activist in various initiatives to reduce gun violence over many years. He was fueled by the boundless curiosity of interests which led him to reside in Chicago, Ill.; Ithaca, N.Y.; Lynn, Mass.; Burbank, Calif.; Denver, Colo.; Hackensack, N.J.; Seattle and Bainbridge Island, Wash.; Austin and Round Rock, Texas; Volcano, Hawaii; Paradise and Red Bluff, Calif. David was rescued from the Paradise, Calif., wildfire by a Good Samaritan neighbor while his home and the town were a total loss. He is survived by daughter, Vanessa Stewart of Yankee Hill, Calif.; grandsons, Taylor and Connor Mullins; and brothers, Peter of Bloomington, Ind., and Donnelly, Los Altos, Calif. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Susan Kinne Haines. There will be no services.
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Published in Fort Wayne Newspapers on May 23, 2021.
Blair's Direct Cremation and Burial Service, Inc.
5530 Mountain View Drive
Redding, CA 96003
530-241-3400
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Stanley O. Needham
Dave and I lived about 3 blocks apart on Crescent Avenue and became good friends in Cub Scouts at the elementary school across from Redding Grocery a block or two from his house. I think it might have been Riverside Elementary School, but it only went to 5th or 6th grade, so he came to Forest Park for at least 7th and 8th grade with the rest of us "mid-termers." We continued to be best friends throughout high school but lost touch about a year after graduation. We reconnected because of this website several years ago, and enjoyed reminiscing about our youth, and then one day his emails stopped. From what I understand his last couple years were pretty rough. He had a stroke and then the town of Paradise, CA, where he lived burned to the ground in 2018 in what became known as The Camp Fire, the worst forest fire in California history.
Kathleen D. Thomas (Frazee)
The first time I met Dave was when my mother was costumer for the Children's Theater in Ft. Wayne and Dave had a role in Davy Crockett. His love of acting eventially took him to California where he performed on stage and film. We reconnected after I too moved to California, he being in Paradise, Ca. and me in Southern Ca. About that same time Dave suffered a stroke and it became more and more difficult for us to keep in touch. The fires in Northern California destroyed his home and the whole town of Paradise. He then moved to Redding, Ca. being closer to his brother.
I will always remember Dave as being upbeat and fun to be with. He was D.J. to our dances at North, a good dancer himself, and devoted friend.
God be with you Dave.
Katie
John A. Briggs
I didn't know Dave well, but he was a pleasant, friendly classmate at Northside.
I'm sorry to hear of his death.
Mary L. Beams
Oh, Dave, this cuts deep, because you lived such a huge life and were working on telling your story. I wanted to hear it. You, like probably all of us, endured experiences beyond any our emerging minds could imagine. The years that have followed us since school have been the most formative and unexpected. I remember the dancing, and the talent you boomed out. I am sorry for what must have been unbearable loss for you in the end. But the glimpses I've seen of your spirit tell me you will continue to do something creative with it all, wherever you are. Godspeed, dear Soul.
David C. Green
I went to through school with David but was on the cast of "The Man Who Came to Dinner," our school play in our senior year. I was in a minor role, but in the presence of David who was in the starring role the Man we were all pretty minor. Although Vickie Jornod was pretty outstanding as well. David was also an inspiration as far as working hard to really be in character. We all had a great time but we all knew we had David to thank for our overall success.
Stephen S. Heine
My thoughts and prayers are with David's family. I knew him as a casual friend and always remember good things and that is how I shall remember him. Prayers be with you.
Scott W. Pitser
Dave was truly an inspiration to all of us that year of the senior play. I thought of him during this observance of Good Friday and Easter. Someone volunteered me to participate in the church play and as I sat back stage this week I thought of my classmates and how we all worked so hard to make the DINNER a success. Dave of course was a Star and he made it easier for all of us. What excitement and fun we all had. Carry on old friend you and all of your friends and family are in my prayers as I walk to Calvary tonight playing my character thru your tutelage. Bless you.
Linda J. Blombach (Goebel)
Sad to hear of Dave's death. We went to Lakeside grade school together across from Redding's grocery. I can't remember when he left because I don't think he graduated with us in sixth grade-only six of us then. Dave was always fun and full of life. Sorry he is no longer with us.