Tenth Generation

8467. David Bishop "Skilly" Skillman Jr. was born on 10 July 1936 in Easton, Northampton, PA. He served in the military under Gen. Daniel B. Stickler from 1955 to 1957 at Korea and Japan in U.S. Army. He received a B.A. in Government degree in 1961 at Lafayette College in Easton, Northampton, PA. Skilly was living in 1994 in Naples, FL. He died on 10 September 2014 at the age of 78 at his home, Diamond Bar-B Ranch in Ferndale, Lake, MT. www.DailyInterLake.com, Lake, Montana

David Bishop Skillman Jr., 78

Posted: Saturday, October 4, 2014 1:00 pm

David Bishop Skillman Jr., known as “Skilly,” passed away peacefully at his home, the Diamond Bar-B Ranch, in Ferndale on Sept. 10, 2014, under the sad and watchful eyes of his devoted companion, Colleen McCabe, and beloved pets, “Charlie” and “Frankie.”
Skilly was born on July 10, 1936, in Easton, Pa., to David Bishop Skillman and Frances Skillman.  
Prior to pursuing higher education, Skilly enlisted in the Army as a private and served in Korea and Japan under Gen. Daniel B. Stickler from 1955 to 1957. During his service, the general somehow allowed him to play golf with President Eisenhower which greatly increased Skilly's status amongst his fellow soldiers. He never forgot his Army buddies and remained an ardent supporter of veterans throughout his life.
Upon returning home, Skilly graduated from Lafayette College in 1961.
Skilly made instant and lasting friendships with a gravelly baritone greeting and blinding smile that won hearts immediately. A born salesman, he got his start with Alpha Portland Cement, moved to Car and Driver magazine, and then joined the world of television with CBS in New York City. It was in New York that he also met the love of his life, Heidi Ruth Hjertstrand, a beautiful Swedish Pan Am flight attendant, whom he stole from the arms of Frank Sinatra. When Skilly was transferred to Chicago, he found he couldn't live without her, and they married in 1973.
The Skillmans returned to New York and settled in Cedarhurst, Long Island, in 1974, where Skilly joined and held court on the back porch of the Rockaway Hunting Club, to everyone's delight. In addition to capturing a golf championship, he served with distinction as a governor.
His sales career continued its trajectory when he joined 20th Century Fox. He had an extraordinary run selling advertising for “M.A.S.H.” This was followed by great opportunities with Turner Broadcasting from which he retired in 1992, when he lost his beloved wife to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after 25 years of love and devotion. He considered her love his greatest gift.
Friendships were most important to Skilly. He was honored to be godfather to 22, and “good father” to some 33 children. In lieu of birthday, graduation, wedding and other attendance requirements and gifts, he took them on an African safari in 2001. Photo ops of wildlife and wild times were all chronicled on video and camera by the kids — a trip they will remember for the rest of their lives. People magazine wanted to cover the event as well, but as usual, Skilly's generosity was kept low key, and he turned the magazine down.
After Heidi's death, Skilly ultimately found the solace he was seeking when he visited the Bigfork area for the first time. He so loved its glistening lake and beautiful mountain wildernesses. He chose an idyllic spot on the Swan River, and went about transforming it into a mini dude ranch for his hundreds of visiting friends, whom he made sure had the time of their lives exploring Glacier Park, fishing, riding his ATVs and camping in his Indian teepee or staying in “The Overflow.” This was his vision of being a “recluse.” He prided himself on establishing a flourishing organic vegetable and fruit garden, specializing in perfect tomatoes. Most recently he added a chicken coop and a beautiful pond stocked with Montana trout. Unsurprisingly, Skilly made many new local friends during his last years in the Bigfork area, and wanted each and all of them to know how much joy they brought into his life. Montana provided him with a contemplative and natural environment and the opportunity to work outdoors which gave him enormous happiness.
Skilly's generosity of spirit was matched by his deeds, and on innumerable occasions throughout his life, he quietly provided financial assistance to those who needed his help. An accident suffered by his dog “Charlie” sparked one such charitable idea. Only days after Charlie had been acquired, he jumped out of the back of Skilly's truck, badly breaking one of his legs. The surgery to fix the leg was very expensive, which caused David to wonder how people could afford to pay such high cost care for their pets. So he decided to establish “The Charlie Fund,” whereby donations to the fund would be distributed to a local veterinary hospital.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to “The Charlie Fund”, c/o of the Whitefish Animal Hospital, 245 W. Second St., Whitefish, MT 59937.
David was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Heidi; his parents, David Bishop Skillman and Frances B. Skillman; and his sister, Judith B. Roseman.
He is survived by his dear brother, Willis B. Skillman, of Naples, Fla.; and his nephews, Andrew Skillman of Butte, Robert Skillman of Reston, Va., Stephen Skillman of Hingham, Mass., and William B. Chapman Jr., of Sunnyvale, Calif., his great-nieces, Mary Elizabeth, Catherine, Caroline, Margaret and Maxine; and numerous cousins.  
Skilly is also survived by his loving companion of 20 years, Colleen McCabe, whom he affectionately called, “The Nurse.” His friends called her “the Saint.” She adored him from the day they met and loved him unconditionally.
Nobody had a better friend than David Skillman. He contributed generously to the quality of life of those with whom he came in contact. His sense of humor brought laughter and smiles the world over. As one of his godchildren said, “Skilly will be missed across the globe, from the U.S. to Scandinavia to Australia, and everywhere in between.” We are all diminished by his passing, but our wonderful memories of him will be with us always. He was not a tough guy, but he left jagged tracks in the concrete ... and gentle tracks in the sand.
A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2015, at the Diamond Bar-B Ranch. Time and details will be released at a later date.

David Bishop "Skilly" Skillman Jr. and Heidi Ruth Mavier were married in 1973. Heidi Ruth Mavier, daughter of Emil Mavier and Ingrid Unknown, was born on 27 October 1943 in Sweden. She died of non-Hodgkins lymphoma on 15 December 1992 at the age of 49 at Cedar Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA. She had Social Security Number 261-98-0368.