Herbert C. Skinner, Jr.

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Celebrating the life of
Herbert C. Skinner, Jr.July 24, 1938 - May 30, 2015
He worked and played hard.

SAVANNAH, GA-Herbert C. Skinner, Jr., died May 30th. Born in Savannah on July 24, 1938, he was the only child of Mae and Herbert Skinner. He graduated from Savannah High School in 1955 and the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1959. He began his business career by joining the investment brokerage firm of Varnedoe and Chisholm in Savannah in September of 1959. In 1969, he was made President and Chairman of the Board and the name of the firm became Varnedoe, Chisholm and Skinner. At that time the company had expanded with offices in Atlanta and Montgomery, Alabama. Varnedoe, Chisholm and Skinner merged with Robinson Humphrey Co. in 1974 with offices in 24 Southeastern cities.

He worked for 11 years with Robinson Humphrey establishing their Investment Performance Evaluation Department providing investment advice to employee pension and benefit funds across the county.

In 1985, he formed Investment Performance Services where he served as President and Chairman of the Board until his retirement in 2004. IPS had offices in Savannah, New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Washington, D.C. and provided advice and consulting services to over 130 employee benefit funds nationwide.

He was a past member of the Executive Committee of the Southern Group of Investment Bankers Association of America and member of the Midwest Stock Exchange, in Chicago, and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange.

He was also a member of the Port Royal Plantation Group partnership with Ben and Hugh Tarbutton and Jack Ashmore. In 1972, they purchased property from one of the early developers of Hilton Head Island, Fred Hack. That property was sold and later developed into what is now known as Hilton Head Plantation, Port Royal Plantation, The Westin Hotel and several small developments.

He was active in community affairs and served on the Boards of the YMCA and the Science Museum, among others. He was very active in the development of St. Andrews School on the Marsh on Wilmington Island. He served on their Board for 15 years including two terms as Chairman. In 1995, he was appointed Chairman of the Board of Governors. The third building built on campus was named in his honor in recognition of his services to the school.

He was a member of the Chatham Club, Cotillion Club, Savannah Golf Club, Landings Club, Mountain Top Golf Club and Lake Resort in Cashiers, NC and the Querencia Golf Club in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

He worked and played hard. His favorite hobbies were fishing and golf. He became a member of the Savannah Golf Club in 1953. At the club he was a member of the prestigious RAAOOFAG and the not so prestigious Wednesday afternoon G & J Blitz. He was also an unranked member of the SGC Gin Rummy Group.

He was an active big game fisherman. He had the good fortune to fish worldwide including three trips to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. One of those trips, with Joe Webster, they released 14 Black Marlin, with 6 of those estimated to weigh between 750 and 1000 pounds. On the same day they both caught 2 marlin which each broke the 1000 pound mark.

He also fished many years in the Masters Anglers Tournament in Palm Beach, Florida, and finished a close 2^nd in 1982. He was an advocate of TAG and Release and in 1973 he had the honor of having the first Transatlantic Billfish TAG Recovery. This was a major occurrence for Woods Hole Oceanographic which sponsored the TAG program. Woods Hole believed but had no proof, that Billfish followed the route of the Blue Fin Tuna from the Bahamas north, past Cap Cod, over to Europe and down to Africa, then back to the Caribbean with the current. This was confirmed when Herb tagged and released a Blue Marlin in St. Thomas in 1973 and six months later the fish was caught off the Ivory Coast of Africa and the TAG returned. Woods Hole estimated the fish covered 12,000 miles in 6 months after being released. Herb felt this was his greatest achievement in his fishing career.

In the 1970s, Herb also participated in the International TAG and Release Tournament open to all anglers worldwide. In one year he recorded the catch and release of 26 Blue Marlin, 71 Sailfish, six White Marlin and one Giant Blue Fin Tuna.

He loved to be with his many long time friends and was instrumental in getting them together socially on a regular basis.

He had the honor and pleasure to be married to two wonderful ladies, Bertie Palmer Skinner and Lynn Peterson Skinner.

He is survived by his three children, Stephen Lawrence Skinner, Herbert C. Skinner, III (Trey), and his wife Deanne, and Elizabeth Skinner Kehoe and her husband Joe, all of Savannah. Five grandchildren, John Blake Skinner, Patrick Brenton Skinner, Sara Carson Kehoe, Michael Noland and Kathryn Burgess.

A private family burial will be held at Hillcrest Abbey Memorial Park.

All friends are invited to a Celebration of Life at the Savannah Golf Club at 5:00 PM on Tuesday June 2, 2015.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Andrew’s School, GRRR Rescue, the Salvation Army and the Savannah Junior Golfers Association.

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Dear Liz and family I am so sorry about your daddy. It seems just unreal. I don't know how you will bear losing him- he was quite a special man. Please know that you are on my mind and in my heart- Love you Cam Bullis Miller.

- Cam Miller, Ballentine, sc

Trey please share my condolences with your family. Herb was one of a kind.

- Adam Downs, Washington, DC

Herb was a great man with vision and compassion; he is missed already. My heart goes out to his family and all the people he impacted. He was a great friend and supporter of GRR, the non for profit assisting homeless, special needs dogs. He made an impact in a lot of lives. His legacy and work will be continued to honor a wonderful man.

- Cornelia Stumpf, Savannah, GA

My deepest condolences, blessings and prayers for the family. Knew Herb well through the Golf Club but I wanted most to commend his generousity in raising funds for a scholarship for one of our students at Savannah State University. He worked tirelessly for this and made a difference in the lives of struggling young men. Thank You !!! I feel blessed to have known him.

- Joseph Steffen, Savannah, Ga

I give my deepest sympathy to the loved ones and friends. May you all receive comfort from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

- ce, Savannah , Ga

My thoughts, prayers and heart are with you all. Herbie was a great guy. Always remember the good times! He will be sorely missed.

- Judy Tillman Green, Savannah, GA

A classy gentleman - condolences to Lynn and Family.

- Steven Scott Silvers, Sacramento, CA

Dear Liz and family, So sorry to hear of Herbie's passing. My prayers are with you and all of the family. Hold on to all those precious memories that you have of all the good times. He was a great person and I know that Charles Cunningham will miss him dearly, they were friends for many, many, years. I remember all the times they had together golfing. Faye Cunningham

- Faye Cunningham, Savannah, Ga

Thinking of you at this time of loss. To Steven, Trey and Elizabeth I know how difficult it is to lose a parent at any age. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

- Kim Ferdinandsen and Marie Ursprung, Savannah, Ga

met Herb many years ago. Always pleasant, always the gentleman.

- David E. Dorsner, MD, hilton Head Island, SC

A friend met many years ago at SGC. Always pleasant.

- David E. Dorsner, MD, Hilton Head Island, SC

Dear Skinners and Kehoes, We are so sorry to hear about Mr. Skinner's passing and will be thinking of you all. Ashley & Rob O'Brien, Helen and Julia

- Ashley and Rob O'Brien, Helen and Julia, Savannah, GA

I was so sorry to learn that Herbie passed away. Please accept my sincerest condolences.

- Jay Hall, Savannah, Georgia

Thinking of you and your family at this very difficult time. It was fun growing up with Herbie in Savannah and I know he will be missed by all his many friends and family.

- Hamilton G. Arden, Jr., Vero Beach, Fl.

It is with sadness that I send my condolences to Herbie's family. I knew him from Savannah High years.

- Stanley Harris, Jr., Savannah, GA

To the Skinner Family: we have all lost one of life's genuine Characters with the lost of Herbie. A man who lived life to the fullest in every way. He was my special connection to Savannah along with Batman! Most would agree that Herb was the luckiest man alive, coupled with an outstanding mind! I know he will be an interesting addition to our Lord! We will all miss him greatly! Sincerely, Taz

- Taz Anderson, Atlanta, Ga

I was one of the few young guys that grew up at the Golf Club in the 50's where I met Herbie. Sorry to see that he had passed. God bless.

- Bob White, Greensboro, GA

Herb was one of the first people I met in Savannah, playing golf with he, Lynn, and Dick and Margaret Eskedor. I always enjoyed Herb's sense of humor, admired that he helped others less fortunate, and was proud to have taught him the fundamental reality of gin. It was an honor to know him and it is a loss for everyone who did.

- Rich and Susan Neal, Savannah, Ga

Family of Herb Skinner, we will always cherish Herbs friendship. He was always a straight shooter and his love for fishing, golfing and social gatherings will always be in the books. Our love and prayers are with all of you.

- Chris and Mike Green, Savannah, GA

Liz, Trey and Stephen, I'm so sorry for your loss. I remember how he always told John that he was impressed that I knew so much about college football. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

- Nella Maxwell, Savannah, Ga

A great friend and fishing buddy....we'll all miss you herbie...hope heaven has good weather and calm seas....tight lines my friend...

- bob alvarado, oakland, ca

My thoughts and prayers are with you all........ I am devastated - he was such a wonderful man and I loved working for him those few years. Much love to you all.....

- Anne Bone, Savannah, GA