Robert Skelton

Robert W. "Bob" Skelton

Dec. 23, 1921 - Mar. 10, 2014

Robert W. "Bob" Skelton died in Cloverdale on March 10 at age 92, unable to recover from a brief and unexpected illness. 

Born in Eagle Grove, Iowa, to Frank and Ethel Skelton, he was preceded in death by a younger brother, Max, and an older sister, Velva Tackitt.

Bob enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on Nov. 12, 1941.  After Boot Camp, he was sent to the South Pacific and assigned to the USMC Correspondents' team "Last to know, First to go" as a photographer and cinematographer.

Wounded by shrapnel in a Japanese air attack, he was awarded the Purple Heart in September of 1943.  Returning to San Francisco from Nanumea on a hospital ship for rehab, he discovered San Francisco. 

He had a successful 45-year-career as a commercial photographer and was the owner of Skelton Photography, once located at 272 Main St., a building he personally designed and had built. The building was recently torn down to make room for San Francisco's new Transbay Transit Center.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Judy, daughter Susan Griffin (Ralph McCormick), sons Robert (Jackie) and Clay (Meg Block), six grandchildren, three great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and a few cousins.

Bob lived life to the fullest with hobbies that included flying airplanes, amateur radio, hunting, target shooting, fishing, traveling, photographing his prized roses and volunteering for historical societies and Northern California State Parks. An excellent cook, he was particularly famous for his Cioppino which served 16 at Christmas.

At his request, no service will be held.  Donations in Bob's memory may be made to the Cloverdale Historical Society, 215 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, CA 95425.

Arrangements are under the direction of Fred Young Funeral Home, Cloverdale.