Robert Bruce Skidmore's Obituary
Robert “Bob” Bruce Skidmore, 66, of Cape St. Claire, Maryland, was taken from us suddenly on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 17.
Born on April 29, 1951 in Gassaway, West Virginia, the first of five siblings, Bob relocated with his family to Maryland later that same year. He graduated from Arundel High School in 1969, where he was a starting offensive lineman on the football team. Bob went on to develop his engineering and drafting skills working for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. Contacts within the industry led him to a career in land development, working first for Colton and Laskin, then for Construction Contractors and Consultants Incorporated. In 1992, foreseeing the coming standards for energy conservation in both the private and federal markets, he and his partner formed Lighting Retrofit Incorporated (LRI), a company for which he remained president until his untimely death. Under his guiding, LRI experienced rapid growth and success, growing from a five man outfit at its inception, to over 70 employees today.
Bob is survived by his mother, Emogean Skidmore; his siblings Michael Skidmore, Patricia Skidmore, John & Michelle Skidmore and Joan & Richard Twigg; by his many beloved nieces; by his children Robert & Karen Skidmore and Shelly Skidmore & David Hill; and by his much-adored grandchildren Joseph & Brianna Skidmore and Rylie & Jordan Jones. He was preceded in death by his father, Bobby Skidmore.
Bob’s greatest joy in life was to experience the happiness in everyone around him; in the family he deeply loved and in the friends he truly treasured. A strongly-committed, family-oriented man, Bob displayed a strength of character and an open sincerity which was admired by all who knew him. His family, friends and colleagues appreciated Bob’s strong mind and open heart, and everyone recognized the uniqueness of the man. His smile, his laugh and his simple presence shined on those around him, lifting mind, body and spirit. He will be sorely missed.
Bob wished to be cremated, and buried in the final resting place of his grandparents, Mt. Hebron Cemetery in Sutton, West Virginia. Bob’s father, who passed in April 2015, will make the journey to be interred beside him. That date has yet to be determined.
A memorial visitation will be held for Bob on Saturday, May 27 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Bob’s family will receive friends at Lasting Tributes, 814 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, Maryland. All are welcome.
Expressions of sympathy can be sent to 1666 Severn Chapel Road, Millersville, MD 21108.
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