Norman William Skau

Norman William Skau "Patriot" Our beloved husband, father, son, and friend, Norm Skau, was taken suddenly from us to the Lord on Saturday, August 19, 2006. Norm was born in Seattle, WA, May 12, 1951, to Norman K. "Pete" Skau and Wilma Jean (Lindau) Skau-Stephenson. Norm graduated from high school in 1969 in Lompoc, CA, where he was state wrestling champion in his weight class during his senior year. At age 27, he joined the Marine Reserves for a tour of duty, and then transferred to the Army Reserves as a helicopter mechanic at Payne Field. For the last 20 years, Norm served in the Air Force Reserve in the 313th Airlift Squadron at McChord AFB, WA, first as a C-141 Flight Engineer, then as a Loadmaster on the C-17 aircraft. A combat veteran, Norm served in Desert Storm as well as ongoing operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, accumulating nearly 200 combat sorties. Other jobs Norm held included working as a Respiratory Therapist in California and Washington and also as a helicopter mechanic for Lear Siegler at Fort Lewis, WA. His volunteer work for the Hydroplane Association and for Sea Fair for the past 15 years gave him great pleasure. He will be greatly missed by his Sea Fair "family". Norm's personality, character, and solid values made him invaluable to his "sweet wife Corie", his sons, Erik Norman and Jonathan William, stepdaughters Eileen Kelly and Sandra Dickey, and his mother and stepfather, Wilma Jean and John Stephenson. Also grieving his loss are Norm's stepsisters, Debi (Ralph) Schultz, Gwen (James) Hodges, stepbrother Col. Michael K. Stephenson, Corie's entire family, Norm's friends, and his Air Force family. Services in honor of Norm will be held at Spanaway Lutheran Church, 16001 "A" St., Spanaway, WA, on Wednesday, August 30, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. A reception will be held following the service. Interment will be held, with full military honors, at Tahoma National Cemetery at 1:15 p.m. Memorial donations in remembrance of Norm can be made to "Care and Share Program", through the 446 AW Family Support Center (253) 982-5330.