Jack Van Atta Skillman, age 91, of Indianapolis, IN died January 21st, 2014. The son of Florence and Clarence Skillman, born in Normal, IL December 31, 1922. He is survived by his wife Ruth of 64 years, sons Stephen and wife Kathy of Carmel, IN and Scott and wife Micha of Austin, TX; granddaughters Lindsay and Lauren Skillman. A daughter Susan died tragically in an automobile accident in 1973.
He graduated from school in Watseka, IL in 1941 and enrolled at Purdue University that fall to study Civil Engineering. In 1943 he entered the Army and returned to Purdue in 1946 and graduated in 1948. At Purdue he joined the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.
His first employment was the Holmes Construction Company of Wooster, OH to aid in the construction of new steel mills in Lorain, OH, Youngstown, OH and McKeesport, PA. In 1951, the US Army Corps of Engineers Rivers and Harbors Board in Washington, DC, where he worked for 3 years employed him.
After President Eisenhower signed a treaty with Spain to build air bases, he was assigned to supervise the inspection of the enlargement of the Spanish Air Base in Zaragosa, Spain.
In 1961, he returned from Spain and sought a job with the Federal Highway Administration, which was in the beginning phases of the Interstate Highway program. That year he moved to Indianapolis, and eventually became a District Engineer.
After retirement, he volunteered at the Indianapolis Visitor’s Center and was a guide at the Eiteljorg Museum. He was a member of the President’s Council at Purdue, Bethlehem Lutheran Church and the Eagle Society of Eiteljorg Museum. Fortunately he and Ruth were able to travel throughout the USA and the world.
Friends may greet the family on Friday, January 24 at Indiana Funeral Care, Harry W. Moore Chapel
from 11 am to 1 pm. A service will be held at 1 pm and burial will follow at Washington Park North Cemetery.
Becky Acree says
Skillman Family,
Today and always, may loving memories bring you peace, comfort, and strength.
Becky Acree, Washington Park North