Gilbert Edward Kinder

Gilbert Edward Kinder, who built one of the largest residential construction companies in San Antonio after World War II, died Friday September 6, 2002. He was 82. Gil was born September 23, 1919, to Hermand and Amelia Kinder, who immigrated from Germany to Glen Burnie, Maryland where they purchased a small farm, and raised 13 children. As a young man, Gil developed a very strong work ethic. He and his siblings helped his parents with all the family chores. As one of the eldest children, he sold the family's vegetables at market. It was during the Depression that he learned the principles of hard work and developed his ambition to rise above his humble background. While working full-time, Gil attended the School of Engineering at the University of Maryland. After two years of college, he dropped out of school to work so his siblings could pursue college degrees. As World War II approached, he joined the Army Air Corps and attended Officers Training School. It was during that time that he met his future wife, Ruth McKim. They were married, and Gil left immediately for overseas duty, flying C-47s as an air transport pilot. After the war, Gil was one of the American pilots who flew the "Hump", transporting supplies over the Himalayas from India and Burma to Free China. After his military service, Gil and Ruth moved to San Antonio. World War II had caused a pent-up demand for housing, so Gil began his civilian career building these homes. During the early years, Gil worked side by side with his crews during the week, and his weekends were devoted to selling the homes to first-time homebuyers, mostly GI's. From 1948 to 1990 he developed many subdivisions throughout the city, including Allena Village, Dellcrest, Helotes, Highland Park, Helotes Park Estates and Lackland Plaza. In the early 1960s, he began developing Bulverde Hills and Bulverde Estates, even though his friends and colleagues told him no one would want to move that far north of San Antonio. Throughout his career, he continued to tell his children and grandchildren that with tenacity and hard work, they could achieve the American Dream. As he achieved his business success, his family and friends often called him "The Bear" because of his physical size and his "roaring" personality, said his son, Buddy Kinder. His favorite hobbies included hunting and fishing, sipping Scotch whiskey, watching the Dallas Cowboys and raising cattle on his Bulverde ranch. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ruth McKim Kinder, his children and their spouses; Mary Dianne Dina Cole and Norborne Page Cole, Jr.; Charles Roland Buddy and Kathleen Newman Kinder and Thomas Gilbert Kinder all of San Antonio; five grandchildren; Ruth Hathaway Storrie and her husband David Storrie, Singapore; Timothy Edward Tad Hathaway, Evansville, IN, Mary Katherine Kacy Cole, Seattle, WA, Norborne Page Cole III, Lake Tahoe, CA; Crede Colton Kinder and Hilary Kye Kinder, San Antonio. Gil is also survived by six sisters of Glen Burnie, Maryland, and one brother, Mike Kinder, of San Antonio. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Peter's- St. Joseph's Home for Children, or the charity of their choice. Pallbearers: Norb Cole, Crede Kinder, Tim Hathaway, Joe Lawson, Tom Barker, and Jim Barker.