George Breckenridge Skinner

1927 - 2017

George Breckenridge Skinner 18 May 1927- 07 Nov 2017 Surrounded by family, George 'Breck' Skinner passed away peacefully after a short illness at his home of 45 years in Novato, California. Born in Virginia in 1927, Breck was raised in a military family as was his father and grandfather. Breck's father was a missile expert credited with developing the bazooka and his grandfather was a military surgeon on Angel Island. Before age 5, Breck had lived in both the Philippines and China. These early experiences impacted his life deeply, as he would grow up to pursue a career in the US Army, creating a lifelong passion for travel. Breck had a long and distinguished career from 1951-72, serving in the Korean War and twice in the Vietnam War, earning a Bronze Star Medal, Legion of Merit, Vietnam Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and a Korean Presidential Citation. He retired from military service as a Lt. Colonel after many years in the Army Corps of Engineers. He then joined Safeway as a project manager where he designed and built industrial production facilities until 1990. His Military career, as well as his family life, began in Kansas. Breck was a loyal Jayhawk graduating from Kansas University in 1951, the same year he married his wife, Anita. Breck got a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from KU and a master's in Industrial Engineering from NYU. Son Breck Jr. and daughter Leslie were born at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. While stationed in Japan, daughter Susan was born in Fukuoka. Due to Breck's military service the family moved 19 times in 23 years, living overseas in Germany, Japan, and across the United States from Missouri and Arkansas to New York and California. In retirement, travel and grandchildren kept Breck and Anita very busy. They took several trips to Europe, China, a cruise to Alaska and road trips throughout the US, in addition to summer vacations with the grandkids to water parks, Marine World, and Disneyland. Breck is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Anita; his sister Leslie; cousin Barbara; three children Breck, Susan, Leslie; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation for "Breck" will be Thursday, November 16th from 4pm to 8pm with a 6pm Rosary at Keaton's Redwood Chapel of Marin and the funeral mass will be held at our Lady of Loretto on Friday, November 17th at 10:30am.