Albert Chadwell SKAGGS

1929 - 2014

SKAGGS, Albert Chadwell Albert Chadwell "Chad" Skaggs, born June 19, 1929. Chad Skaggs, soldier, journalist, teacher and outdoorsman, passed into immortality on Nov. 27, 2014, due to complications following heart surgery. Chad was born in Bessemer Alabama, to William and Annie Skaggs, and lived in numerous locations throughout his eventful and influential life. As a youth, he grew up during the Great Depression and worked many jobs, including as a printer's devil, which foreshadowed his later life. In 1946, he joined the Army, paratrooper division, where he attained the rank of lieutenant. After the military, he attended college at the University of Alabama and the University of Missouri, attaining a Masters in journalism. He worked for many years for the Associated Press, covering the big stories of a turbulent time, such as the Selma peace marches. He left reporting to become a professor of journalism, which he taught at Georgia State University, Syracuse University, Bethany College, Texas Woman's University, and SUNY Brockport. Over this time he trained many fine journalists, many of whom remained good friends throughout his life. He was an active outdoorsman, having canoed many locations across the continent, and also a well-respected birding enthusiast who had travelled to numerous national and international birding sites. He was also a musician of some renown, with a vast knowledge of folk and gospel music. A skillful raconteur, he delighted many, young and old, with his funny, poignant and instructive stories. He was a well-known voice of experience and humor among copyediting circles, especially copyediting-l@indiana.edu. Though of modest means, he was a great philanthropist, giving generously to numerous and diverse charities, including nature advocates and journalism groups. He is survived by two sons and their wives, Mark (Monica) and Christopher (Judy), as well as by two grandsons, Evan and Taylor. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Katy Prairie Conservancy http://www.katyprairie.org/donate/