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A "Celebration of Life" gathering for Robert "Bob" Kinkaid, a hair stylist in Menlo Park for 33 years who was well-known by customers and friends for his sense of humor and practical jokes, will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1, at the Imperial Dance Club, 822 Cassia St. in Redwood City.

Mr. Kinkaid, who was a swing dance competitor among many other interests, died May 31 at age 72.

He opened his salon, Morpheus, in 1977 on Oak Grove Avenue in downtown Menlo Park. In 1980, he moved it nearby to 1143 Crane St.

In 2002, Mr. Kinkaid sold Morpheus and moved to Kenneth-Michael Salon at 1140 University Drive. Last October, he moved to DJ's Hair Salon at 1155 Chestnut St.

He was well-known in town because of his outgoing personality and skill as a storyteller and jokester.

A resident of San Francisco, Mr. Kinkaid had multiple interests, including swing dancing, motorcycles and cars, and multiple nicknames, from "Buddy" to "Fuzzy" and "El Camino Bob," the latter because of his lovingly restored 1986 El Camino.

In 1986, he rode his motorcycle on the USA Four Corners Tour. Many people were interested in his adventure so a friend placed a map of the U.S. in the window of the salon at 1143 Crane St. and moved a paper motorcycle on the map as Mr. Kinkaid rode around the country.

"It was the talk of the town during those 21 days with people coming by the salon window to see where Robert was on any given day," said his wife, Michelle.

Raised in Santa Clara, he graduated from Santa Clara High School in 1956.

As a teenager, he danced at the Wutzit Club Youth Center in Santa Clara. After high school he painted and pinstriped cars, then went on to pursue a profession in cosmetology.

Licensed as both a cosmetologist and instructor, he was recruited by such companies as L'Oreal and Wella to demonstrate haircutting, styling and fashion techniques at trade shows for professional stylists throughout the western United States from 1968 to 1971.

Mr. Kinkaid won five first-place hair styling awards in competitions in the Bay Area, as well as in Nevada and Utah.

He closely assisted his wife Michelle in her swing dance business and as co-host on her ocean cruises. They recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.

He was a swing dance competitor, as well, placing third in the masters' division of the U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships in 1993 and winning the Rebels Hubby/Wife Couples Competition in 1991.

Mr. Kinkaid was an avid motorcycle enthusiast and a life member of the Harley Owners Group (HOG) and the Sierra Road Riders Association. In addition to racing, he participated in many rides, including a solo ride from the Bay Area to Alaska.

He had a great love of the outdoors, enjoying gardening, camping and fishing, and was particularly fond of Yosemite, says his wife Michelle.

Another love was his dog, Rascal, whom he brought to the salon in Menlo Park every day from 1997 to 2002 to the delight of customers who would bring a dog bone for him. Rascal is now 13.

In addition to his wife (and Rascal), he is survived by daughters Wendy, Alysia and Sarah and sons Robert and Keith.

Visit MichelleDance.com/Robert.html for information regarding memorial arrangements, as well as photos and more information.

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