Robert Eugene Skeele

Obituary for Robert Eugene Skeele
Born in Columbus, Ohio on March 4, 1927, Robert E. "Bob" Skeele completed his long life on October 23rd, 2025 in Anacortes, Washington with his partner, Sherry Chavers, at his side. He preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Joan Williams Skeele. All their children survive him: John Skeele (Beth Caffery), Matthew Skeele (Annie Quest), David Skeele (Nora Ambrosio) and Susan Skeele. Six grandchildren survive: Marsh Skeele (Maury), Nora Skeele (Justin), Kora Urquhart (Joseph), Lena Skeele, Dominic Skeele and Nicolas Blumel. Four great grandchildren survive: Jameson Urquhart, Islay Urquhart, Bodhi Mulligan and Ash Skeele.
Following military service in the USCG during World War II, he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree (Philosophy) in 1949 from Ohio State University and went on to earn a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School in 1953. It was during his collegiate years that he met Joan Williams. They married in 1951, after his first year at Yale. Their initial home together, wistfully recalled, was a coal-heated Quonset Hut, part of the university's married student housing. That Joan set aside her own ambition to earn a law degree to find employment to see them through the last two years was always a source of gratitude when Bob recounted those early years. Yale Divinity School did little to cure Bob of his liberal theological bias, but it also fostered in him a much greater understanding of the Christian faith and its transforming power.
After serving two churches in Minnesota for seven years, Bob accepted a job with St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland. Four years later, Joan and their three children dutifully accompanied Bob to the Southwest to open a second college in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Five years after that and another child - a daughter this time - they were off again, this time to Marlboro College in Vermont where Bob was to stay as College Dean for 15 years. In one last challenge to his administrative skills, Bob accepted the position of College Dean at the new Landmark College in nearby Putney, Vermont. Landmark was the first college in the land to admit only students with learning disabilities.
In 1987, Bob retired from Landmark College and Joan from her growing law practice. They moved one last time to the Pacific Northwest settling in the little town of La Conner, Washington. After his wife's death from Alzheimer's in 2012, Bob stayed in their old, historic home operating a Bed and Breakfast and continued with his young writing career. His first book of poetry and prose was published in 2009 at 82 years of age. In 2018, he sold his home, eventually moving to Anacortes, Washington, the next town over, to live with his partner. He continued writing, letting poetry and prose inspire and inform one another, ultimately producing 14 books.
A Celebration of Bob's Life will be held on March 4th, 2026 at the Anacortes home he shared with Sherry. Details to be announced at a later time.