RTB Bob Skinder, Ugly Angel and Scarface

[romymouse]

Scarface Brothers,

I believe that Bob Skinder was not only an Ugly Angel but also a member of Scarface on his second tour. He passed away on Saturday in Hopkins, South Carolina.

Please pass the word on to his squadron contacts. I will update the RTB section of Popasmoke as more information becomes available.

Romy Myszka
UAMF

[Tom Hewes]

For those of you who didn't know him, Bob was one of the founding fathers of the Ugly Angel Memorial Foundation. He labored from the moment in 1994 when we first organized the Uglys almost until the day he passed on. It was Bob who had the idea we should honor those we left behind with the Ugly Angel Memorial we dedicated at Quantico in 2000, and which now proudly rests in the Semper Fidelis Memorial Park. It was Bob who served from day one as our official squadron historian. And it was Bob who took over the newsletter when this old guy retired. Until his illness finally incapacitated him, he served with distinction as the President of the Ugly Angel Memorial Foundation.

Bob's wife, Madilyn, informs me there will be a memorial service for Bob in about a month. The details will be posted as soon as they become available. In the meantime, expressions of condolence may be sent to Mrs. Robert Skinder, 20 Claytor Road, Hopkins. SC 29061. Donations to the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in lieu of flowers are welcomed.

We honor Bob's memory, his dedication to the Ugly Angels, his humanity, and his friendship. Rest in peace brother!

Semper Fidelis

[Jerome HALL]

Tom its always hard to hear of another one of our Brother Marines has pass
away. My prayers are with the Family and ALL that knew Him. May God put his Great Big Arm's around them ALL and let them know He is there .

[Robbie Robertson]

UAMF Founder, master tin bender, historian par exellance, all around good guy. We didn't serve in the Southeast Asia Wargames together but over the years established a warm rapore and corresponed frequently. I will deeply miss his humor and wise council. Madylin sounds like she is handling Bob's loss with equanimity as they had plenty of time to contemplate his mortality. She said he was out cutting the grass less than 24 hours before he died. That's the way a warrior should go; full throttle. Semper Fi, Bob.

[Tom Hewes]

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.

A memorial service will be held at a date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s memory may be sent to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, P.O. Box 9031, Pittsfield, MA 01202. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.

Obiturary courtesy of The Palmetto State, South Carolina's Homepage

[Tom Constantine]

I served with Bob from the time he entered USMCR with Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 771, MAG 49, 4th MAW, until he retired and moved south
around 1988 or so. Bob was unique, he really was. I don't think I have ever met anyone like him. At some point in time, when this sinks in ( I just found out tonight) I will write some Bob Skinder stories. Skinny was a proud and loyal Marine and a wonderful man and one of the funniest people I have ever met. I spoke with him last approximately two months ago prior for their departure on a nature trip of sorts up into the Dakotas and Badlands. Bob had had a set back and had come out of remission, but things looked promising. I wish to hell that I had been able to say goodbye.

I have some recent pics that I will ask Wally to post. The US Marine Corps never appreciated the depth of his loyalty to the Corps and to his fellow Marines.

Little known fact: Bob served with George Curtis and Frank Cuddy in Scarface, 67 Phu Bai. He also served with Sgt Maj Fred Douglas (KIA Beirut 1n 1982) at
NAS Lakehurst, NJ around 1965 or 66. We all hoisted more than a few at NAS SoWey in the late 70's.

Goodbye Bob----I'll miss you buddy. Perhaps we'll be able to crack a cold Schaefer somewhere down the road.

Tom Constantine
US Marine Ret

[Tom Hewes]

A memorial service will be held for Bob on Saturday, 17 October with the time and place to be determined. As soon as I have further info, I'll post it.

Semper Fi

[widow1]

Though I never met Bob in person, he took the time to correspond with me a few times and answer some questions. And I found we both had a love of history and books! He always sent me a copy of the UA newsletter and mentioned T in one. It meant a great deal to me and to the kids.

I had the good fortune to find a few people who knew T and were able to provide anecdotes, pictures, information, laughs, and just being there. Thanks, I know what a treasure you all are.

Valle.

[Mark Byrd]

Bob was also a member of Scarface in the late 1969-early 70 time frame in Phu Bai or Marble.

Years later he served as an historian of HLM 367 and provided great assistance in putting together the facts when Brad Ryti and I were collecting information for the Scarface Website back around 2000.

I was not aware of Bob's very distinguished career in library science and regret that I never knew him better. He was always there when we needed him!


Semper fi and God speed to Bob Skinder.