David H. Skinner

David H. Skinner

June 14, 1946 - July 30, 2014

David H. Skinner

June 14, 1946 - July 30, 2014

Obituary

Dr. David Harold Skinner, 68, passed away at his home surrounded by his family on July 30, 2014, following a battle with cancer. He was born on June 14, 1946, in Arthurette, New Brunswick, Canada. He was the first person in his family to attend college, graduating from Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick, in 1968, where he played on the varsity basketball team. After graduation, he enrolled in medical school at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he met Brenda McLean, whom he would marry on February 5, 1977. After graduating with his M.D. in 1973, Dr. Skinner began practicing emergency medicine and family medicine in Presque Isle, Maine. While living in Presque Isle, he played competitive amateur baseball and helped lead his Arthurette-based team to the Maritime Championship in 1979. In 1980, Dr. Skinner and his young family moved to Southern California, where he graduated from U.C. Irvine’s critical care and anesthesia program in 1983. He began his medical practice at Saddleback Hospital in 1984, where he remained until just weeks before his death. Dr. Skinner was a resident of Laguna Hills for nearly 30 years, until December 2013, when he moved to San Juan Capistrano.

In the course of his 30-year career as an anesthesiologist at Saddleback Hospital, Dr. Skinner served as Chief of Staff; a member of the Saddleback Memorial Medical Center Board of Directors; director of perioperative services; and medical director of the surgical center. He was a consummate professional and gentleman, and a selfless man. He was soft-spoken by nature, yet his voice was heard above others out of respect for his integrity and strength of character.

In his free time, Dr. Skinner enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, playing basketball, and, more recently, improving his long-neglected golf game. He coached NJB basketball and Little League baseball teams in Laguna Hills for many years, and made regular trips back to Arthurette to work on the Christmas tree farm and maple syrup business he owned with his brother. He also greatly enjoyed yearly post-Christmas family trips to Las Vegas with the Fakoory family.

Dr. Skinner was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Melissa, and his younger sister, Janice; and is survived by his wife of 37 years, Brenda; children Jon (Sarah), Jeff (Jessica), Megan, and Ryan; grandchildren Lindsay, Jackson, and Benjamin; brother Peter (Wendy); and sisters Suzanne (Mark Jobin), Sandra Tremblay (Glen), and Jennifer Sappier (Roland); and many loving nieces, nephews, and extended family. His family and all who knew him will miss his enormous personality, easy laughter, and generous spirit.

The Skinner family will be planning a private service in September in Canada. His family would like to express their gratitude for the Celebration of Life held at Saddleback Hospital on July 18, during which Dr. Skinner and his leadership, legacy, and life of service were honored by many. The family would also like to thank the nurses of Hospice of Saddleback Valley for their loving care and support in the final days of Dr. Skinner’s life. Also, heartfelt thanks to all for the love and support extended to our family these past weeks.

In lieu of flowers, the Skinner family requests that donations in Dr. Skinner’s honor be made to the Saddleback Memorial Foundation
24451 Health Center Drive
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
www.memorialcare.org/saddleback-memorial-foundation

The Skinner family requests that there be NO flowers or memorial gifts sent.

No Events & Services

No Charities & Donations

No Gallery Photos

No Videos

11 responses to David H. Skinner

  1. Dave’s Sister, Suzanne was a great friend in high school and we all thought the world of her big brother. “Unable are the loved to die for love is immortality”. My condolences to all of the Family
    Mona (Mo) Colwell, Perth-Andover, NB

  2. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family at this time. A great classmate.
    Rod and Glenna MacGregor
    Dayton oh

  3. Dr. Skinner was my doctor when he was in Presque Isle, Maine. Thanks to him I have a beautiful daughter today. Another doctor told me there was no reason I shouldn’t get pregnant but Dr. Skinner found the issue and told me what to. I’ll be forever grateful to him. I’m sure he touched so many other people’s lives too. Praying for his family and friends at this time or sorrow.
    Alice Piper Keiser

  4. Dennis Bowie says:

    Inside our hearts we cry for ourselves, for we will miss his effervescent smile and kindness. We believe he will be high up in heaven above most of us. I had the honor of being his roommate in 2nd year of Medical school and can attest to how kind he was of others and respectful. I never heard him speak badly of anyone. We so agree with the statement “He was soft-spoken by nature, yet his voice was heard above others out of respect for his integrity and strength of character.” Without a doubt his passing will be hard to get over. Brenda and family, you will be in our thoughts and prayers.
    Dennis and Anne Marie Bowie Dartmouth/Halifax

  5. Kay says:

    I had the honor and privilege of working with and knowing Dr. Skinner Everytime I saw him in the hallways of SMMC, I always made sure to stop him to say hi, no matter how far away he was. Every meeting or discussion that he was involved in was better because of him. He had such a calming effect on me and I’m sure many others. I always LOVED to see him, say hello and get a big hug. Dr. Skinner is someone who I will always greatly respected, love and honor. For me, Dr Skinner will always be in my heart. I will always have love in my heart for him, always. I miss him so much.

    To Brenda and family – please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Kay Lieber

Leave A Condolence

Choose a Candle