Tenth Generation

8471. David Skillman Atkinson was born on 30 January 1921 at Presby. Hospital in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. He received a B.S. Math degree in 1942 at Yale University in New Haven, New Haven, CT. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He served in the military from January 1944 to June 1946 at PT boats in the Pacific in U.S. Navy. David died from a glioblastoma (brain tumor) on 29 October 2008 at the age of 87 at his home in Wellesley, Norfolk, MA. ATKINSON, David Skillman Of Wellesley, MA, died October 29, 2008 peacefully at home following a brief illness. He was 87. Born in Philadelphia, PA, on January 30, 1921, he was the son of the late James Clarence Atkinson and Margaret Algeo Skillman Atkinson. Mr. Atkinson graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1942 from Yale University (Jonathan Edwards College) with a BS in Math. While at Yale, he was the recipient of Harwood F. Byrnes Scholarship and was also the captain of the Jonathan Edwards football team. He served as a Lieutenant in the US Navy on PT boats in the Pacific during World War II. Mr. Atkinson was a retired business executive who held directorships in major Fortune 500 corporations. Throughout his life, Mr. Atkinson was very generous with his alma mater, Yale University. Until his death, he was secretary for the class of 1942. In gratitude for his education at Yale, he established the Harwood F. Byrnes/Richard B. Sewall Teaching Prize for the teacher who "has given the most time, energy and effective effort" to educating undergraduates. He enjoyed woodworking, crafting many beautiful pieces of furniture for countless friends and family members. While in his 40s, he earned his private pilot's license. He was member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Wellesley. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Louise Headley Atkinson, brother Samuel Gayley Atkinson, Gwynedd, PA, and by three daughters: Susan Thomas Atkinson Nicholson, Amherst, MA, Sara Lyman Atkinson Woolston, Guilford, CT, and Ann Gayley Atkinson Patterson, Nashville, TN, 11 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. In celebration of his life, a memorial service will be held on November 15, 2008 at 2:00 pm at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 79 Denton Rd (at Washington St.), Wellesley, MA 02482. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Byrnes-Sewall Fund, Yale University, Office of Development c/o Alumni Fund, PO Box 2038, New Haven, CT 06521-2038 or to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 79 Denton Rd, Wellesley, MA 02482, attn: in memoriam David S. Atkinson. J. S. Waterman & Sons & Waring Wellesley 781-235-4110

Mary Louise Headley (private).

David Skillman Atkinson-764 and Mary Louise Headley-765 had the following children: