Robert Skinner

Burlington Robert Wilbur Skinner, 73, of Burlington died on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at Hospice Home of Alamance County following a critical illness of eights months. Following a private burial, a memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Burlington on Tuesday May 3rd at 2:00 pm. The family will receive family and friends at a reception at the church following the service and at other times at the residence. The Revs.Dr. Ronald L. Shive, and Dr. Dale Steele will officiate. A native of Suffolk, Virginia, Mr. Skinner was the son of the late Emmette Charlie Skinner, Sr. and Lillie Parker Skinner. He studied Business Administration at Elon College, where he was an officer of his sophomore class and sang in the college choir. He was also a member of Kappa Psi Nu fraternity. He then served for two years in the U.S. Army, as a manager of finance and accounting. He later graduated from the Louisiana State University School of Banking. A Retired Bank Executive; he began his career at The Hood System Bank in Burlington. He was Executive Vice President/City Executive of the Northwestern Bank of Burlington and First Union National Bank. He also held this same position at Peoples Bank of the Triad in Kernersville before retiring. During his professional career he was active in local civic affairs; Mr. Skinner was for six years the U.S. Savings Bond chairman in Alamance County, the Campaign General and Chairman of the United Way of Alamance County, a member and officer of the Alamance County Chamber of Commerce, and an active member and past President of the Burlington Kiwanis Club. He also served on the board of the Cherokee Council. A devoted fan of UNC athletics, Mr. Skinner particularly enjoyed UNC Basketball and Football. He was a member of the Liberty Springs United Church of Christ in Liberty Springs, Virginia and attended the First Presbyterian church in Burlington. He was the husband of Margaret Crowson Skinner, with whom he celebrated forty-nine years of marriage on March 31st of this year. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Michael "Holt" Skinner of Burlington; his daughter Cynthia Skinner Welch and son- in law Carl Welch of Raleigh; a sister Beverly S. Smeltzer; a sister-in law, Margaret "Peggy" Skinner of Virginia Beach, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his parents and his older brothers, Dr. Emmette C. Skinner, Jr, and Charles Parker Skinner. Special thanks are given by the family to the staff of the Alamance Cancer Center and especially the nursing staff of Hospice for their loving care of our family. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Hospice of Alamance-Caswell .