Roger Charles "Skok" Little

Roger Charles "Skok" Little
Mar 2, 1948 - Apr 24, 2017
Roger Charles Skok Little, died on April 24, 2017 in his home, in the loving care of his wife and family. Born March 2, 1948 in Waukegan, Illinois to Eloise Connolly Little and Robert Bush Little, he was nicknamed Skok as an infant for his fascination with the trains of the Skokie line that passed by his first home. Raised in Urbana, Illinois, he received his bachelor degree from Yale College in 1970, magna cum laude, with the highest distinction in economics. As an undergraduate, he was coxswain of the Yale Heavyweight Crew and was elected captain of the Varsity Crew in his senior year, a rare distinction for a coxswain. He received his JD/MA in Law and Economics from Yale Law School in 1974 and that year married Margaret (Peggy) Frederick Little. He practiced antitrust, securities, contracts, property and commercial real estate law in Connecticut and then at Merrill Lynch in New York City, where his practice expanded to include intellectual property law, and all legal aspects of the development of the World Financial Center in New York City. With his devoted support, Peggy received her undergraduate and law degrees from Yale. He then developed his own commercial real estate law practice throughout the United States and in 2004 went into partnership with Peggy, continuing in similar and expanded areas of practice with national and international clients. For many years he coached Little League, including a memorable 1994 season where his team – with son Nate and daughter Anna among the many talented players – won the town championship. He played lead guitar and sang in bands in high school, college and law school to support his education, and continued guitar and singing throughout his life, including singing tenor in the Fairfield County Chorale and other local choral and oratorio groups. Other hobbies included model railroading, building reproduction furniture for his historic home, history, biography, literature and music, including making music with Peggy and their three children Nate, Anna, and Caitlin, travel throughout the US, Canada, and Europe, fine food and wine, and gardening that produced renowned heirloom tomatoes and a refuge of peace and beauty around his home. A quiet man, a gentle man, an intelligent and honest man, Skok is survived by Peggy and their three beloved children Nate, of New York, NY, Anna, of Charleston, SC, and Caitlin Ross and her husband Robert Ross of New York, NY, and their son, Skok's beloved grandson, Jack. Skok is also survived by his three sisters, Bridget Rorem of Kankakee, Illinois, Rebecca Oorthuys of Seattle, Washington and Mindy Gulyash of Kankakee, Illinois. Funeral arrangements are private.
A memorial service will be held at Dwight Chapel, 67 High Street, New Haven, CT 06511 on the Old Campus of Yale University on May 12. 2017 at 10:00 am. Donations in memory of Skok may be made to Yale University, Yale Heavyweight Crew Association P.O. Box 1844 New Haven, CT 06508 or to a charity of the donor's choice. To offer online condolences please visit www.dennisanddarcy.com