Frank Hilton Skidmore, Jr.

Frank H. Skidmore Jr. of Durham, NC died at his home in Croasdaile Village, April 20, 2025. He was 83. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (Betsy) of the home, his brother Walter (Kathy) of Saugerties, NY, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Kenneth.

Born in Danbury, CT to Frank H. and Natalie E. Skidmore, Frank attended schools in Gettysburg, PA, where he was active in his church, school athletics, and Boy Scouts. He graduated from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA with a degree in history and was a member of the Phi Lambda Theta Chapter of Chi Phi and president of Theta Alpha Phi honorary society. His college years were interrupted by military service. He was assigned to the US Army Counterintelligence Corps in Western Europe, where he received the Army Commendation Medal.

When he left military duty, Frank returned to Bucknell to continue his studies. He also resumed participation in the University Theater. His first role was as the husband in a Christmas Medieval Mystery play, with the wife played by Betsy, who became his wife in real life for the next 57 years. After completing his degree, Frank joined IBM in Kingston, NY. During his 35-year career he was located in Kingston, Poughkeepsie and Harrison, NY as well as Hursley, UK. At the time of his retirement, he was Managing Director of Global Services/Software at RTP, NC with a reputation for employee development and customer support.

His personal interests revolved around the environment, especially cold-water habitat. He created scholarships in citizenship and environmental studies at Ulster Community College (NY), University of Alaska-Fairbanks, and Elizabeth City State University (NC). He was a founding member of the Ashokan-Pepacton Watershed (NY) Chapter of Trout Unlimited and a supporter of Sierra Club, Nature Conservancy, UNC Press, American Museum of Fly Fishing, Catskill Center for Fly Fishing, and the Wild Trout Trust (UK). He was an avid fly fisherman and travelled to the highlights of the sport in Montana, California, Alaska, New Zealand, England, as well as his home streams in Pennsylvania, New York and North Carolina.

Frank also was greatly involved in supporting higher education. He was a Trustee at Ulster Community College (SUNY Ulster) in NY; an Emeritus Trustee at Elizabeth City State University in NC; and an Emeritus member of the Advisory Council of the Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University in NC.

Frank will be remembered by those whose lives he touched for his positive outlook, his insightful and creative thinking, his willingness to help – and his belief that “help” is defined by the receiver. A private Celebration of Life will be held. Burial will be in Patterson, NY at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Duke HomeCare & Hospice, 4321 Medical Park Dr. Suite 101, Durham, NC 27704, or a charity of your choosing.

The family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service.