Robert Vernon Skinner

Robert "Bob" Vernon Skinner passed on April 29, 2026 surrounded by love and family. He was born September 19, 1936, in Kent, Washington to Russell and Eleanor Skinner and a sister, Betty. In 1953, his sister, Lynda was welcomed to their family.

Bob graduated from Missoula County High School, June 1954, and then enlisted in the Air Force. On June 2, 1956, while stationed in Naselle, WA, he married his highschool sweetheart, Sonja Sipes. After an honorable discharge from the Air Force and graduation from the University of Montana, Bob started his career and family in Richland, WA in 1965, where he worked as a Nuclear Physicist at the nuclear reactors in the Hanford site. Bob and Sonja raised three children Steve, Sandi and Stacey in Richland where family time was boating on the Columbia River, snow skiing trips, summer trips to Lincoln City, OR and innumerable trips to visit family in Missoula. In 1978, longing to return home, Bob and Sonja moved back to Missoula and opened the Hol' N One Donut Shop in Southgate Mall. Bob and Sonja divorced in 1988.

Bob was then blessed to meet Sharon Jakkola and they married in 1989. With his marriage to Sharon, he welcomed two more kids into his family, Rhonda Huguet and Bryan Jakkola. They enjoyed camping, traveling south for winters, family time and their "Farm" in Plains, MT. where they hosted their grandkids at Camp Plains every summer. Their faith in God was an important part of their life as well. Bob loved and cared for Sharon during her battle with cancer until sadly she passed in December 2016.

Goodbyes were originally said to Bob in July 2025 after a heart attack, but he made a miraculous recovery. His family cherished the extra 9 months with him. He was living at the Village Senior Residence when he passed. In the time he was there, he made many new friends and reconnected with old friends. He enjoyed playing cards, Bingo, happy hours and karaoke. His loving companion, Lynn Tavenner, was always at his side enjoying adventures with family and friends. Spending time with family was very important to Bob and he loved hosting family events. Those who met him were welcomed as part of the family. He was a loyal friend, loving Dad, grandparent and great-grandparent. He will be deeply missed. He is survived by Steve (Andrea) Skinner, Sandi (Dale) Davey, Rhonda (Ron) Huguet and Stacey Skinner and sister, Lynda Beyer. He had 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by Russell Skinner, Eleanor Skinner McGregor, Ken McGregor, Betty Chaffin, Sonja Skinner, Sharon Skinner, Bryan Jakkola, Jesse Huguet, and brother-in-law Frederic Beyer.

Services will be held at Grace United Methodist Church, Missoula, MT, August 13th, 2026 at 1pm. Graveside services will be held at Plains Cemetery, Plains, MT on August 14th, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob's honor to Grace United Methodist Church in Missoula, Western Montana Humane Society, or Poverello Center in Missoula.