David Skinner

David Skinner Beloved friend, neighbor, cat daddy, co-worker, co-oper, poet and breakfast connoisseur David Franklin Skinner passed away in Austin on September 15, 2013 at age 54. This sudden loss is a shock to everyone lucky enough to have shared a home, a passion for eclectic music and art, a long-standing inside joke or even just a cup of coffee with Dave. A great, warm hug of a human being, Dave will be remembered above all for his consistent kindness to everyone. He never forgot a birthday. Or the fact that you have a dear old aunt in New Jersey, love science fiction novels or make great blueberry pancakes. He always made you feel special and appreciated-whether you saw him regularly in person, or were one of the many who kept in touch with him over the years through email or Facebook. Born on May 21, 1959 and raised in Houston, Dave spent most of his adulthood in Austin, aside from a period of living in New York City as a mental health caseworker in the early eighties. A graduate of English/Linguistics from the University of Texas at Austin, Dave devoted over 25 years to deaf education. The work he loved at the Texas School for the Deaf was so ingrained in his personality that he often would "speak" to his hearing friends using sign language as he talked aloud. Over the years, Dave had many poems published in periodicals including the Austin Chronicle and he recently completed a book of poetry entitled Kundalini Marinara. To quote one of his verses, Dave always was "a riddle praying to never be solved"-a deeply private person, even to those who had known him for decades. Although the friends mourning his passing wish they knew more about this wonderful guy (it has been verified that he once owned an iguana named Boot!), they do know what's most important: that Dave touched a lot of souls, and he will be missed like crazy. Those who knew Dave are invited to help send his spirit off to the marvelous 24-hour diner in the sky. Join the memorial celebration at 21st Street Co-op at 707 West 21st Street in Austin on Saturday, September 28th at 2pm.