Obituary: Skinner, David Michael “Dave”
Age 68
SKINNER, David Michael “Dave”
(Age 68)
Of Moscow passed away January 28, 2016 at his Moscow, ID home.
Dave was born January 3, 1948 in Colfax, WA to Don and Dorothy (Gillispie) Skinner.
The family moved to Moses Lake, WA in 1951 where he attended school, graduating from Moses Lake High School in 1966.
Dave graduated from Washington State University in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, specializing in Soils.
He joined the Peace Corps and served in Iran from 1970-1972.
Dave traveled throughout Europe and North Africa during this time where he climbed Mt.
Kenya before returning home in 1973.
Dave was at home on the Palouse with his family roots running deep.
He was a first class Botanist specializing in Native Plants of the Palouse.
Dave spent 30 years working for the USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center in Pullman.
He married Kris McRae and they later divorced.
In 2008 Dave married the love of his life Jo Bohna and they have made Moscow home since that time.
He has many family and friends who deeply loved this remarkable man.
Dave had a sharp sense of humor and loved to indulge in puns.
He was deep, strong, attentive and patient.
He loved his wife and children and made them the focal point of his life.
Dave cared deeply about gardening, the Palouse, nature, environmental issues, National Parks, Baseball, square dancing, cribbage, photography and M&Ms.
He was a founding member of the Palouse Preservation Foundation and Koppel Farm.
The family home on F Street is a testament to Dave’s creative use of native plants and an example of his restoration efforts.
He is survived by his wife Jo at their Moscow home; his son Sam (Melissa) of Boise, ID; his daughter Maggie of Twin Falls, ID; his mother Dorothy of Spokane, WA and brother Greg (Monica) also of Spokane.
He was preceded in death by his father Don and sister Cathy.
A service will be held later in the spring.
KIMBALL FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY is caring for the family.
Online condolences may be sent to www.kimballfh.com