Curtis Eugene Skinner

Curtis Eugene Skinner 91, died peacefully on April 9, 2022 surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 63 years, Sylvia A. Skinner (Sally). Curtis is survived by four children: Stephen M. Skinner, Curtis H. Skinner (Kari), Jeffrey A. Skinner and Anne S. Dunn (Daniel) all of Lake Bluff, Illinois. He was the devoted "Papa/Pop" to ten grandchildren: Amanda, Rob, Mark, John, Peter, Paige, Shannon and Meghan Skinner and Dan and Mike Dunn, and five great grandchildren. Curtis was born in Rockford, Illinois and later moved to Racine, Wisconsin where he attended Washington Park High School. Following graduation, he attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a special interest in finance. After graduation, Curtis accepted a position as an Analyst in the Credit Department at The Northern Trust Company in Chicago, Illinois but soon was drafted into the United States Army. On June 2, 1953, while on a weekend leave from the military, Curtis married his high school sweetheart, Sylvia Anne Doering. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Paris, France where Curtis was stationed. In 1954, after two years in the Army, Curtis and Sally returned to the United States and resided in Evanston, Illinois. Curtis resumed his position in the Credit Department at The Northern Trust Company and in 1956 was assigned to the Banking Department. He received an MBA degree from the University of Chicago in 1958 and was soon elected Assistant Cashier and later Second Vice President. At this time, Curtis and Sally also relocated to Lake Forest, Illinois to raise their growing family. In 1965, Curtis earned a diploma from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University, a three year course of study conducted by the American Bankers Association. Curtis was promoted to Vice President of the Banking Department in 1966 and was responsible for the bank's commercial and correspondent business across the Midwest, South and eastern part of the United States. He was appointed to Senior Vice President of the Banking Department in 1978 and assumed the role of Head of the Mid-Continent Group, Domestic Loan Review and Credit Policy. Curtis remained at The Northern Trust Company for 42 years, and after a distinguished career retired in 1994. Following retirement, he spent his summers in Ephraim, Wisconsin at the family cottage which was built by his grandfather in 1912. Curtis spent much of his time volunteering at the Ephraim Historical Society, the Ephraim Men's Club and as a member of various committees for the Village of Ephraim. He enjoyed boating, bird watching, playing golf, listening to Big Band music, and being with friends, family and his beloved pets. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Ephraim Moravian Church, the Ephraim Historical Society or the Humane Society. The visitation will be held on Friday, May 13, 2022 at Wenban Funeral Home, 320 Vine Ave., Lake Forest, Illinois from 4:30-7:30 PM. Interment will be private at Lake Forest Cemetery. Info: Wenban Funeral Home, Lake Forest 847-234-0022 or www.wenbanfh.com