ROBERT "BOB" SKELTON

1954 - 2023

ROBERT "BOB" SKELTON
JULY 27, 1954 - JANUARY 9, 2023
Bob Skelton, 68, who most recently lived in a remote area of Rio Arriba County in his beloved state of New Mexico, passed away in Farmington, New Mexico on January 9, 2023 following a week long illness which proved to be too much for his system to handle.
A native of Henry County and Geneseo, Illinois, Bob graduated from Darnall High School in 1972 and, after a little "bouncing around" academically, earned a degree from Illinois State University. Gifted in the use of computers, Bob was employed as an estimator for electrical engineering and construction companies across the United States and overseas. Although one of the calmest and most peaceable people on the earth, Bob ironically spent a good portion of his professional career working on the testing, development and clean-up of nuclear devices at the Los Alamos National Laboratory . Bob lived in Santa Fe and the Los Alamos area for many years.
Bob loved the relationships he formed over the years and reveled in the accomplishments of his friends. He took great pride in being a member of two Geneseo football teams who contributed to "The Streak", in the '60s and '70. Always loyal, Bob greatly enjoyed every return trip to his home town and the memories which it held for him. Never married, Bob was a kind and caring son to his parents Hugh and Bernice who preceded him in death as well as a loved (and sometimes befuddling) kid brother to his sister, Kathleen M. Jackson of Santa Fe, NM and his brothers, Mark H. Skelton of Cambridge, IL and Steven B. Skelton of McLean, IL. He was a terrific uncle to Allison, Martha and Nathan.
Bob was exasperatingly independent, choosing to live a spartan existence in remote, rural New Mexico after his health dictated his retirement, but at the same time drew great enjoyment from being with friends on fishing/camping excursions and doing out-of-the ordinary things like his rock climbing as a younger man as well as ordinary things such as his dart throwing outings with his brother-in-law Steve, winning a Santa Fe City softball championship with his friend Bruce and relocating near Dulce with the help of his friend Gary. Bob would appreciate his friends remembering him by having a cold beer (or two) and sharing stories of their experiences and adventures together. He will always be fondly remembered and greatly missed.
A Memorial Page with an On-Line Guest List is available at: www.farmingtonfuneral.com. Memorial get-togethers are being planned in Geneseo, Illinois and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Dates are not yet decided.