Dr. Herbert A. McKinstry was born on April 22, 1925 to Rev. Samuel McKinstry and his wife, Myrl (Beckwith) McKinstry. His family moved to Avoca, NY in 1929. In 1945, he was married to Jean (Millspaugh) McKinstry, who predeceased him in 2009. They had 4 children. His son, Samuel (Rebecca) McKinstry also preceded him in death in 2011. He is survived by his remaining 3 children; Nancy Parks, Herb L. (Susan Trolier-McKinstry) McKinstry and Julia (Ian Gallacher) McKinstry; 4 grandchildren; Timothy Parks, Sarah Lobb, Aileen McKinstry and Nathan McKinstry; and 3 great-grandchildren, Brooklyn, Rowan and Matthew.

Early on, Herb exhibited talents for both music and science. He chose science as his career. Following his graduation from Alfred University with B.S. degree in glass technology, he came to Penn State in 1947 as a graduate student and research assistant in ceramics. He received two degrees from Penn State: an M.S. in ceramic technology in 1950 and a Ph.D. in physics in 1960. In 1956, he was awarded a Fulbright Scholar Award for research in Australia at CSIRO, Division of industrial Chemistry in Melbourne. In 1962 he was appointed as an Assistant Professor in Solid State Technology at the Pennsylvania State University. In 1985, he earned the Ross Coffin Purdy Award of the American Ceramic society in recognition of his outstanding contribution to ceramic literature. He was one of the founding faculty members of Penn State’s Materials Research Laboratory. Over the course of his career, Dr. McKinstry co-authored more than 60 papers, taught a variety of courses in ceramics and materials science, and was one of the first on campus to work with microcomputers and use them in teaching. His research specialties were X-ray diffraction, and development of low thermal expansion coefficient materials. He retired as an Associate Professor of Solid State Technology in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in 1990.

In addition to his extensive career, Herb was active in his community. In 1966, he and his wife were founding members of Diakonia, a progressive branch of the Presbyterian Church, which eschewed the traditional template of having a permanent building and minister and instead rented space, and hired professional clergy on a part-time basis, so that a larger percentage of their money could be used to help others, particularly targeting local needs in the State College community. He and his wife were also very active in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s. Among other activities, they helped sponsor the Southern Student Project, which facilitated African American students from southern states coming to study at Penn State. They were also founding members of the Coalition for Peace, working with University students and community members to protest the war in Vietnam.

Dr. McKinstry continued with his love for music, specifically singing. He was always willing to sing at friends’ weddings, and until 2005, was a tenor with the State College Choral Society. 

A memorial service will be held Saturday May 16 at 4:00 pm in the sanctuary of the State College Presbyterian church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the State College Presbyterian Church or the State College Choral Society.