Robert Lamar (Bob) Skinner passed away Sunday evening Jan. 15, 2017. His family was with him. Bob passed quickly through the stages of pancreatic cancer and died peacefully and without pain, a rarity with this kind of cancer. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Cora Mae Skinner, his sons Michael (Linda) Skinner and Timothy (Celeste) Skinner, his daughters Cathy (Dennis) Blumenkrantz and Charlene (Terry) Hartzog, his 10 grandchildren and his 15 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister LaVon (David) Smith, two aunts and three nieces. He was preceded in death by his father Andrew Lamar Skinner, his mother Nola Ann Parsons Skinner, brothers Hal Skinner and Darrel who died in infancy.
Bob was always interested in electricity and electronics. His father was one of the Bell Telephone Pioneers which allowed Bob easy access to electrical parts. Many stories are told of the "electric chair" and "electric door knob" he built as a boy. Bob started college at 16 years old, but his schooling was interrupted by the Korean war. His National Guard unit was activated and he was sent to Camp McCoy in LaCrosse, Wisconsin for basic training. This is where he met Cora Mae (Corky) who became and remains the love of his life. After receiving electronics training, becoming a Corporal, and being honorably discharged from the army, he married Corky and moved to Salt Lake City.
After returning to Utah, he completed his schooling, getting a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering and then a Master's degree from the University of Utah. He was a lifelong Utes fan and an avid Jazz fan.
Bob started many companies the first being Ensco, where he and his good friend Frank Longson began by repairing televisions. Their moto was "Let us learn on your set". After several years, they began making medical electronics. As it became increasingly difficult to continue due to government regulations, he began working at Engineering Technology (Entec) were he later became president. During this time, he also started a part time company called Ramal, where he worked on many different projects including medical devices, instrumentation systems and testing equipment. In 1992 he left Entec to work full time at Ramal. The name was later changed to Composite Machines Company where he worked until he sold the company in 1999.
Even after retiring, Bob kept busy managing his rental properties, wiring his home with a security system and video cameras, and other various projects.
Bob had a lifelong love of travel, visiting numerous countries and places in the U.S. over the years. He enjoyed his yearly houseboat trips to Lake Powell with his family, and many visits to his cabin in the mountains.
He was active in the LDS church, holding various callings. Bob and Corky were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple.
"Today is a good day. I'm OK."
A viewing will be held Thursday Jan. 19, 2017 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy. Funeral services will be Friday Jan. 20, 2017 at 11:00 am at the Peruvian Park Ward 1500 East 8600 South Sandy, with a viewing prior at 9:30-10:30 am.
