Richard Skae

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Richard (Rick) Alexander Rutherford Skae, 65, of North Palm Beach, FL on May 19, 2022 in Evanston, IL. Rick was born on November 17, 1956 in Bronx, NY and moved with his family to River Edge, NJ in the early 1960s. He attended River Dell High School in Oradell, NJ where he was a varsity athlete in football, golf and basketball. In 1978 he graduated from Shippensburg State University in Pennsylvania with a BA in Russian History. Rick began his acclaimed career on Wall Street in 1981 as an Account Executive at Kidder Peabody in New York City. He subsequently joined Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette to focus on High Net Worth and Institutional Business. Rick spent the next 11 years at Paine Webber as a Branch Manager in Wellesley, MA and Houston, TX, and then became the District Director running the suburban Chicago market. In 1995 he joined Merrill Lynch where he ran their Midtown office for four years. He moved up the ranks and eventually became the Northeast Regional Director and continued in that role until joining Morgan Stanley. He spent the last 17 years of his career at Morgan Stanley, first as head of the Eastern Division and later as Vice Chairman where he served on a number of top management committees. Anyone who knew Rick immediately recognized his humor, zest for life, loyalty and generosity. If he wasn't in the boardroom, he was casting a line, or hitting golf balls surrounded by friends. After hearing of his passing, bonefish across the Bahamas and the Keys let out a sigh of relief. No longer would they have to fear his fly fishing prowess. Rick was an active member of Old Marsh Country Club, Winged Foot Country Club, Hudson National Country Club and Westmoreland Country Club, where he was beloved by members and staff alike. He was notoriously mischievous, and will go down in history as a legendary prankster. Quick-witted and intentional, Rick never went too long without telling a joke so funny and irreverent you would be left laughing for days. Although he touched and influenced many lives throughout his brilliant professional career, Rick will forever be remembered as a loving and steadfast father to his daughter, Elizabeth Skae, and stepson, John Wardrop. It was just last July when Rick married the love of his life and best friend, Cherie Bond, on a glorious summer day on his treasured Nantucket Island. Surrounded by family and friends, Rick had never been happier. Rick is survived by his wife and golf partner, Cherie Bond of Winnetka, IL; his daughter, Elizabeth Skae of Brooklyn, NY; his mother Phyllis Skae of Harrington Park, NJ; his brother Bob (Karen) Skae of Hawthorne, NJ; his sister Nancy (Fred) Lustenberger of River Edge, NJ and countless nieces and nephews who adored him. Rick was predeceased by his father Richard R. Skae in 2016. Services were held at Grace Presbyterian Church in Winnetka, IL on June 1. A recording of the service can be viewed at donnellanfuneral.com. An additional Celebration of Life will be planned in New York City at a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates gifts made in memory of Rick to support Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, 355 E. Erie Street, 10th floor, Chicago IL 60611 or www.sralab.org/give-now. Info: donnellanfuneral.com or (847)675-1990.