Dr. Robert Roy Kintner
Dr. Robert Roy Kintner
Cedar Rapids
Dr. Robert Roy Kintner, Ph.D, 96, of Cedar Rapids died on Monday, February 10, 2025 at Cottage Grove Place. Private burial will take place at Fairview Cemetery, Denver, Iowa. Teahen Funeral Home is assisting the Kintner family.
Roy is survived by his son, Tim (Nancy) Kintner of Cedar Rapids; daughter, SueLynn Olszewski; three grandchildren (Kari, Nathan and Noelle); and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; daughter, Melinda (Mindy) Rae Hooper; and sister and brother-in-law, Sue and Don Carter.
Roy was born on April 3, 1928, in Weeping Water, Neb., the son of Elmer and Rae Swartwout Kintner. He graduated from Omaha Technical High School in Omaha, Neb., in 1946, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Technology from Iowa State University in 1953. In 1957, he received his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Washington in Seattle. A proud U.S. Marine veteran, Roy served from 1946 to 1949. On August 31, 1952, he married Helen Remmers at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waverly. They enjoyed 66 years of marriage until her passing in 2018. Roy was an active member of several organizations, including the American Chemical Society, Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society, the International Society for Fluoride Research, the National World War II Memorial (Charter Member), and the South Dakota Academy of Science.
In 1957, Roy joined the Chemistry Department at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., and remained there for thirty-seven years of his career, retiring in 1994. Roy then joined California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks as a Senior Mentor Professor for an additional nine years. Over the years, he participated in Faculty Fellowships at the University of Washington (1964-1965) and the University of California, Santa Cruz (1971-1972). Additionally, he held visiting professorships at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln (1980-1981), the University of California, Santa Cruz (1987-1988), and the University of Maryland, Munich campus (1985-1987).
Dr. Kintner, educated as a physical organic chemist, was widely recognized for his vigilant research. Throughout his time at Augustana, he mentored numerous student researchers, contributing to numerous publications resulting from both his student collaborations and postdoctoral work. He played a key role in securing grants that funded the purchase of many of the department’s major instruments, often as an author or co-author. The chemistry department thrived under his leadership as chairperson, a position he held for much of his tenure at Augustana.
In addition to his passion for science, Roy enjoyed hiking, biking, bird watching, and learning about nutrition. His Christian faith was also very important to him. He cherished spending time with his family and friends and will be deeply missed.
Memorials may be directed to Augustana University.
Online condolences can be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.