Robbie McKinley was a legendary skateboarder who passed away at the age of 43 on March 28, 2023. His death was confirmed by his close friend and former roommate Mackenzie Eisenhour on Instagram, who posted a throwback picture of McKinley sitting on an armchair on the sidewalk. Eisenhour 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.
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Who Was Robbie McKinley?
Born in Los Angeles, McKinley moved several times during his teen years while trying to break into the skateboarding scene. He moved to California’s Inland Empire in the fifth grade and relocated to Florida with his mom. It was a minor setback since he had just been noticed by Society USA, a skateboarding team. Luckily, his mom allowed him to fly back to Los Angeles to shoot a promo; he stayed in the city with his father.
McKinley, also known as McCrooks, was known for his daring skateboarding approach. Highlights include the moment he pulled off the switch frontside heelflip at UCLA, which was captured for a Society promo poster and became the talk of the town. His fame skyrocketed after appearing in classic skating videos in the early 2000s, such as Harsh Euro Barge, Rodney Mullen vs Daewon Song, Yeah Right!, and DC Video. Directed by Oscar-winning director Spike Jonze, Yeah Right! was known for its special effects and green screen use to create the “invisible skateboards” section. Other famous names in the project included Keenan Milton, Brian Anderson, and Marc Johnson.
The skateboarder is survived by his mom, Iwona; his sister Jennifer and her husband, Louis; and his nephew Lukasz. Famed Washington DC skateboarder Jimmy Pelletier commemorated the star on Facebook. He recalled:
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…
Robbie McKinley Skateboarder Cause of Death: What Happened?
The cause of death of Robbie McKinley remains unknown for now, and further details are yet to be revealed. Some reports have speculated that the cause of death was an overdose of drugs, but this has not been confirmed by any of the authorities at the moment. According to Skate Boarding, the skater died on the morning of March 29, 2023. The skating community is still in disbelief at his passing, and new information is coming to light.
Robbie McKinley’s Legacy and Impact
Robbie McKinley was a popular face in the world of skateboarding in 2000. His technical abilities and innovative style with the sport had always been praised. Moreover, he was also one of the founders of the Grind King skate team. In an interview with Bobshirt in 2010, McKinley said that he started skating in the fifth grade with his brother and developed more interest in it when he was in sixth grade. He added:
Went thru a few groups of friends but I would say the Chaffrey crew was like where I really begin to get pretty good and knew I wanted to get sponsored and all that stuff. Crew consisted of Richard Mulder, Sam, Thomas, Schmitt, Graber, Phelps, Marcus, Fred and a bunch of other heads, probably like 15 total.
McKinley ditched the buzzing Los Angeles life for Hawaii in his final months. As a graduate of web design from The Art Institute Of California, McKinley worked as an interactive designer for over 10 years at the time of death. He specialized in product design and has worked with the likes of MySpace, Amazon, and HP. He also enjoyed fishing, surfing, barbecuing and cooking turduckens.
Robbie McKinley was a skateboarder who inspired many with his passion, talent, and personality. He will be remembered as a legend and a friend by his fans, peers, and family. Rest in peace, Robbie McKinley. You will be missed.
