Robert Rupp Skinner / 1937-2009

Published 9:01 pm Thursday, March 19, 2009

By Staff
Robert "Bob" Rupp Skinner joined loved ones in Heaven on Saturday, March 14, 2009, after a battle with cancer.
There will be no visitation. Cremation was handled by Avink Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held 3:30 p.m. on Friday, March 20 at Skyrise Elderly Housing, 105 E. Walnut Street, Kalamazoo.
He was born March 7, 1937 in Pontiac, the son of Howard Morse Skinner and Ada Rupp Skinner, formerly of Muskegon.
He was a life-long resident of Michigan, having lived in Pontiac, Muskegon, Niles and Kalamazoo. He attended public schools in Muskegon and the Wheaton (Illinois) Academy, and also served in the United States Air Force.
Robert had a strong Christian faith that helped sustain him in his final illness. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo.
He had an abiding love for his family and was known as a faithful correspondent with relatives and friends, who lived far distances from him.
Robert was an avid reader, preferring mysteries and biographies, and was a collector of books and baseball caps. He was also a Detroit Tigers fan, enjoyed jazz and taking long walks. He lived a quiet, simple life. He was possessed of a strong sense of humor, often quick with a joke or pun on words, and he enjoyed a good pizza from Bimbos.
He is survived by his five children, Fara Cochran (Bob) of Kalamazoo, Kelcey Jordan of Fruitport, Melanie Thompson of Grand Haven, Betty Skinner Bates of Kalamazoo, and Timothy Skinner (Stephanie) of Dowagiac. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Caitlinn and Carter Cochran of Kalamazoo, Cheyenne Jordan of Fruitport, Kyle and Ian Thompson of Grand Haven and his brother Howard M. Skinner Jr. (Beverly) of Greeley, Colorado.
He was preceded in death by Iva Faye Skinner of Niles and Evelyn L. Skinner of Kalamazoo.
Donations may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan and First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo.
Avink Funeral Home in Kalamazoo handled arrangements.