Bob Skinder's Obituary

Robert Francis Skinder, cherished husband of Madilyn and father of Jennifer and Rachael, died September fifth at the age of 66. He was a man of boundless humor, kindness, and love of life. Bob loved people, and all who knew him were cheered by his rich wit, positive outlook, and endless store of “good stories” and laughter. He also loved nature, and spent many hours being a faithful observer and steward of the great outdoors.

He was the son of Chester and Agnes Skinder and born in Dorchester, Massachusetts. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1963-1971 and in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1976 to 1991. With an English literature degree from Southeastern Massachusetts University and a Master of Library Science degree from University of Rhode Island, he began his career in the oceanographic scientific instrumentation industry in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. In 1987, he moved to Maryland, and was a reference librarian at the Federal Aviation Administration Library and then at Walter Reed Army Institute for Research in Washington, D.C., followed by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland. This career path led to his blending of the emerging information technologies with academic librarianship, which flourished with his next move to the University of South Carolina Thomas Cooper Library in 1996. He loved his service to students, faculty, and staff, and was treasured by many in the university community who were touched and inspired by his warm and generous spirit. He retired from USC in 2008, and then devoted his time to his family, his love of the land, his dogs, and the rich heritage of his home in Hopkins and those that he served with in the U.S. Marine Corps. He created a lasting tribute to his brother Marines of the Ugly Angels, as Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-362 is famously known, by being a founding member and past president of the Ugly Angel Memorial Foundation, and through his long service as newsletter editor and historian of the squadron.

He is survived and deeply missed by his beloved and devoted wife Madilyn, his daughter, Jennifer Louise Skinder, son-in-law, Leif Richardson, and his grandchildren, Asa, Carmen and Benjamin of Marshfield, Vermont; his daughter, Rachael Anne Skinder of Newton, Massachusetts; his brother, John Stanley Skinder of Burke, Virginia; and his uncle, Ralph and aunt, Barbara Skinder of Andover, Massachusetts and their children and grandchildren. He is also survived and deeply missed by his dogs Clover, Holly, Daisy, Pepper, and Maggie.

Our deepest thanks and appreciation to the wonderful nurses, doctors, and staff of the South Carolina Oncology Associates and Palmetto Baptist Hospital, whose exceptional care and generosity provided much comfort.

Bob Skinder's Memorial Service

The memorial service for Bob Skinder will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, 17 October 2009 at his home on 20 Claytor Road in Hopkins, South Carolina.

Hopkins is about 4.5 miles southeast of Columbia. The Skinder home can be reached from I-77 by exiting at Garners Ferry Road (US 76/378)towards Sumter. After exiting, proceed southeast to Lower Richland Blvd and turn right. This is a relatively rural area that is well past the strip development on Garners Ferry, and there is a Food Lion, Exxon, and school at the intersection.

After exiting, go about 2.75 miles south on Lower Richland Blvd. You will go over 2 sets of railroad tracks -- one after about a mile and the other after about 2.7 miles. After you go over the 2nd set of tracks, take the 3rd turn on your right (only about 0.2 mile past the tracks) onto Claytor Rd. This is a gravel road, and there is a split rail fence at the turn. There is a paved road (Clarkson) that turns left at this intersection. 20 Claytor Rd is the first driveway on your left, and you can park on the lawn across from the entrance to the driveway. If you pass the Hopkins Post Office, you've just missed the turn onto Claytor.

Local accommodations adjacent to I-77 and Garners Ferry Road can be found by dialing up .

Semper Fi!