Robbie McKinley was a legendary skateboarder who passed away at the age of 43 on March 28, 2023. He was known for his flawless style, technical skills, and innovative tricks. He was also a founding member of the Grind King skate team and a featured skater in many classic videos. In this article, we will pay tribute to his life and legacy, and remember why he was one of the best in the sport.
Early Life and Career
Robbie McKinley was born in Los Angeles in 1980. He started skating in the fifth grade with his brother and developed a passion for it in the sixth grade. He moved to California’s Inland Empire and then to Florida with his mom, but he always kept his connection to the LA skate scene. He was noticed by Society USA, a skateboarding team, and flew back to LA to shoot a promo for them. He stayed in the city with his father and pursued his skateboarding dreams.
McKinley, also known as McCrooks, had a daring approach to skateboarding. He pulled off amazing feats, such as the switch frontside heelflip at UCLA, which became a famous poster for Society. He gained recognition and respect from his peers and fans, and joined the Blind Skateboards team. He also appeared in various skateboarding videos, such as Harsh Euro Barge, Rodney Mullen vs Daewon Song, Yeah Right!, and DC Video. Yeah Right!, directed by Oscar-winning director Spike Jonze, was known for its special effects and green screen use to create the “invisible skateboards” section. McKinley shared the screen with other legends, such as Keenan Milton, Brian Anderson, and Marc Johnson.
Later Life and Death
McKinley left the buzzing LA life for Hawaii in his final months. He had graduated from web design from The Art Institute of California and worked as an interactive designer for over 10 years. He specialized in product design and worked with companies like MySpace, Amazon, and HP. He also swapped skateboarding for surfing and enjoyed the waves and the nature.
McKinley died on March 28, 2023, at the age of 43. His close friend and former roommate Mackenzie Eisenhour confirmed his death on Instagram, with a throwback image of McKinley sitting on an armchair on the sidewalk. He wrote:
One of the best humans I had the privilege of knowing. Probably my favorite skate style of all time at his peak. Groomsman at my wedding, stand up roommate, and the first person outside of the hospital to meet my daughter Luca when we got home. I’m going to miss you so much Bob. Crooksy forever.
The cause of his death remains unknown, and further details are yet to be revealed. He is survived by his mom, Iwona; his sister Jennifer and her husband, Louis; and his nephew Lukasz.
Tributes and Legacy
The skateboarding community mourned the loss of McKinley and paid tribute to him on social media. Many of his friends and admirers shared their memories and condolences, and expressed their gratitude for his influence and inspiration. Some of the tributes are:
- Jimmy Pelletier, a famed Washington DC skateboarder, wrote on Facebook: “We met you in the summer of 1998 when our tours crossed in Canada. You were on the Blind Skateboards tour. You had such a rad style and just looked cool on a skateboard. You rocked your gear so well. Love and prayers to you and your family Robbie McKinley. Ride on…”
- Chris Cole, a professional skateboarder and two-time Skater of the Year, wrote on Instagram: “Rest In Peace Robbie McKinley. You were a great person and a great skater. You will be missed by many.”
- Tony Hawk, a skateboarding icon and entrepreneur, wrote on Twitter: “Sad to hear about the passing of Robbie McKinley. He was a talented skater and a kind soul. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”
- Steve Berra, a professional skateboarder and co-founder of The Berrics, wrote on Instagram: “Robbie McKinley was one of the most stylish and technical skaters of his generation. He was also a good friend and a great human being. I’m heartbroken by his death. Rest in peace, Robbie. You will never be forgotten.”
McKinley’s legacy lives on in his skateboarding videos, his photos, and his art. He was a legend who inspired many people with his passion, creativity, and personality. He was a true skateboarder who loved the sport and lived it to the fullest. He was Robbie McKinley, and he was 43 years old.