Robert Carney Kinser

Robert C. Kinser, 86, of Asheville, died Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at his home surrounded by his family. A native of Athens, TN, Robert was a son of the late Elmer and Esther Carney Kinser. He was also preceded in death by his brother, C. Wayne Kinser. Mr. Kinser was a graduate of Mars Hill College in 1949, NC State University in 1952, and was a member of Pi Tau Sigma Fraternity. He served in the U.S. Army, and was released from the Army to work at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, TN during the Sputnik crisis. He was a church member, Sunday school teacher and choir member of Oak Ridge First Baptist Church. He returned to Asheville to work with his father at Home Insulation Co. With his brother C. Wayne Kinser, he developed the Hilton Inn, Peppertree Resorts, Westside Industrial Park, and was a former president and chairman of the board of the Kinco Corporation and Deltec Homes. Mr. Kinser was a charter member of Grace Baptist Church, where he was a member of the choir for 57 years, a dedicated Sunday school teacher, and helped Cathryn establish the church library. He was also a former board member of the Buncombe County Library system. He loved to travel and visited all over the world. He loved his 1955 Ford Thunderbird, on which he completed a complete restoration. He enjoyed vegetable and orchid gardening, genealogy, fishing, hunting, and had the opportunity to go on an African safari. He also enjoyed visiting his cabin at Lake Watauga, TN. Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Cathryn; son, Bryan Kinser and Jonel; daughters, Vanessa Osborne and Eric, and Cynthia Kinser and Dave Baker; daughter of the heart Lizanne Vos and Rudi; grandchildren, Scott Kinser, Adam Kinser, Kim Evans and Michael, Crissy Hall and Elijah Tiegs, and Roelf Vos; and great-grandchildren, Sam Davis, and Noah, Jude and Willow Evans. A Celebration of Life Service for Mr. Kinser will be held on Saturday, December 30 at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church, with Rev. Steve Ackerman and Rev. Dr. Derrill Smith officiating. A reception will immediately follow the service. The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of Biltmore Medical, especially Dr. Tom Rennard, Home CareFree, and CarePartners Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Baptist Church, 718 Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC 28806, or to a charity of one's choice. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.