Winfield Bertrum Kinner

Bert Kinner was born on December 16, 1882, in Benton County, Iowa. His father was from New York. His mother was born in England and her maiden name was Lee.

Kinner worked, as a streetcar operator, in Denver before going to Minnesota, there working as a barber, taxi service operator, and car dealer.

Aviation career

On May 25, 1915, pioneer pilot and aviation designer, Otto Timm crashed in a field in Magnolia, Minnesota, owned by Kinner. His aircraft's Anzani engine was repaired by Kinner, who was fascinated by the aircraft.

Later that year, he and his family went to California, where Kinner opened a business as an automobile coachbuilder. In 1918, Kinner served in the United States Army Air Service, but he didn't see active duty, and was not trained to fly, because, on 11 November 1918 the First World War ended. In Venice, California, the following year, he went on an observation airplane ride then began an aircraft career.

Kinner married Cora M. Brusse (1887-1982), the sister of his test pilot, Lee V. Brusse. In Minnesota, they had two children, Winfield Bertrum Kinner II (1911–1993), and Donald W. Kinner (1914–?). In California, they had two children, Donna M Kinner (14 August 1922—?), and Robert H Kinner (21 October 1924—?).

Lee V. Brusse became Kinner's chief pilot and test pilot. Cora sewed fabric for airframes.

Kinner was a Quiet Birdmen.

About 1939, Kinner retired from active business, transferring his business to Otto Timm, turning to aircraft inspection, due to ill health. Worsening health forced him to retire. Kinner lived to age of 74, dying on 4 July 1957, in Long Beach, California. Los Angeles Times'' reported, "Winfield Bertrum Kinner, 74, pioneer aircraft manufacturer and designer, died late Thursday in a Long Beach hospital". He was buried in the Portal of Folded Wings Shrine to Aviation with other aviation pioneers in Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery.