Claude McKinney, creator of Centennial Campus, dies

RALEIGH -- Claude McKinney's fingerprints are all over the Triangle. He championed the creation of N.C. State University's Centennial Campus in the 1990s. He helped shape the look and feel of Research Triangle Park. And he fought to preserve important elements of downtown Raleigh and Durham.

McKinney, a former dean of N.C. State University's School of Design, died today. He was 79.

Born June 9, 1929 in Greensboro, McKinney was the son of the Rev. Clyde Malone McKinney and Winnie Smith McKinney .

McKinney graduated from Pfeiffer Junior College and from UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in painting and design.

After being recruited by N.C. State University's Chancellor John C. Caldwell, McKinney led N.C. State's School of Design from 1973-1988, as dean and teaching Professor.

In the mid-1980s, McKinney was tapped by Chancellor Bruce Poulton to create a vision and design strategy for the university. McKinney sought to create an environment that would stimulate learning and prepare students for the future global society, according to a family obituary.

In addition to his wife and children, McKinney's grandchildren were the delight of his life, the obituary said.

"He reveled in their accomplishments and loved them unconditionally," it said. "He retired in 2000 with hopes of having time to do art with them. 'Daddad' was known to spoil them with early morning Krispy Kreme deliveries, and he made them the best waffles and pancakes in the South."

McKinney is survived by his wife Mimi, daughter Kyle Szulik (Matthew) and their children Kaitlin, Brendan and Keenan; and son Kevin (Mary), and her children Elizabeth and James Turner, all of Raleigh

A memorial service will be held Friday at 2:30 p.m. at the Long View Center, 118 S. Person St., in Raleigh.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Society for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (www.psp.org); Hospice of Wake County, 1300 St. Mary's Street, Raleigh, NC 27605; The Claude McKinney Endowment, NCSU Libraries, Box 7111, Raleigh, NC 27695; Arts NC State, Campus Box 7306, Raleigh, NC 27695; or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements by The Cremation Society of the Carolinas, 2205 East Millbrook Road in Raleigh.