A memorial service for Robert “Bob” Skewis will be held at 11 am, Saturday, 31 May 2025 at Shepard of the Hills Lutheran Church in Crossville TN.
Robert (Bob) J. Skewis passed away at Saint Thomas Highlands Hospital in Sparta, TN on 18 March 2025. He was born 03 April 1951 in Emmetsburg, Iowa. His parents, Bob and Ruth Skewis, were long time residents of Emmetsburg and that is where Bob grew up with younger brother Charles and younger sister Betty. He graduated from Emmetsburg Public High School in 1969. Bob was always interested in mechanical things, especially motors - large and small. He was rebuilding lawn mowers in his teens and enjoyed helping friends work on their older cars/hot rods, in which he enjoyed cruising the streets of Emmetsburg, IA.
In April 1970, Bob decided to follow in the footsteps of many of his older relatives by serving his country in the United States Air Force. He attended boot camp at Lackland AFB; received advanced training as a survival instructor; and then attended 9 months of specialty training in aviation fuels. Bob then served as an aviation fuels specialist at Kingsley Field, OR before going overseas in support of Pacific theatre and Vietnam operations. He served at Tainan Air Base, Taiwan until his release from active duty in April of 1974.
Bob’s training and experience as an AF fuels specialist defined his professional life after leaving the USAF. He settled in the Chicago area, where he worked at a large petroleum refinery. His hobbies continued to revolve around mechanics and older autos. Some of his favorites included 2 Porsche coups, a 1960 Impala convertible, a vintage Corvette, and a collection of older Lawnboy mowers. He loved being under the hood or inside a small engine-just tinkering.
Bob married Alice Beck in 1988. They built a home in a lovely wooded area of Yorkville, IL where they lived until discovering TN. After retiring from CITGO as the assistant chief of the fire department and safety supervisor, Bob and Alice moved to Fairfield Glade, TN in 2013. They built a home on Lake St. George and spent the ensuing years staying active in the Glade community. Bob enjoyed golfing, pontooning on the lake, and getting together with friends and family.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. He is survived by Alice, his loving wife of 36 years; (brother) Charles Skewis of Statesboro, GA; (sister) Betty Skewis-Arnett of Sioux City, IA; (stepsons) Don Beck of College Grove, TN and Dallan Beck of Thompson Station, TN; numerous cousins; and countless friends throughout the country.
