It was with tremendous sadness that we heard last week of the passing of Dr. Bert McKinnon, who epitomized the commitment to community and volunteer service that makes northern Arizona such a remarkable place.

Bert and his family came to Flagstaff in the early 1980s and he is perhaps best known as one of the co-founders of Flagstaff Bone & Joint.

But doing good in the community was also a passion for Bert, and much of his philanthropic work dovetailed with his desire to improve the lives of others through medicine. He co-founded the Northern Arizona Volunteer Medical Corp, which has provided medical care to thousands around the world. He also co-founded Fitkids of Arizona, a childhood obesity prevention program, and served on the board of Northern Arizona Healthcare.

United Way of Northern Arizona also benefitted from his generosity and leadership. He and his wife, Karen, were longtime members of the Summit Society - generous supporters who contribute $500 or more annually to UWNA. He chaired the Summit Society in 2009.

Bert also served on the UWNA Board of Directors in 1997 and again from 2010 through 2013 and was active on the Annual Campaign Committee.

We are honored that the family has indicated that charitable donations in honor of Bert can be made to UWNA. You can donate here.

We will miss Bert tremendously, but celebrate the many wonderful contributions he made to improve life here in northern Arizona, and indeed, throughout the world.

A celebration of Bert's life will be held on May 21, 2023, from 11 - 5 pm, with a program at 1 pm, at the Flagstaff Elks Lodge.