Robert Skinner

Year of Induction: 
2005

Bob began his hockey career in 1949 at the age of nine. At the age of 12, Bob incurred 3rd degree burns over 50% of his body. While most people believed that he would never skate again, his surgical team knew differently and encouraged him to “fight it out” through the long and painful journey towards recovery. Bob went on to start for the hockey team at North High all four years and ran on the cross-country team to prepare for the hockey season. He attended Norwich University following high school, where he played for the freshman team; then later started for the varsity team the remaining 3 years. Bob skated right wing and his line, including Jack Kennedy and Dick Coe, was the highest-scoring line in the country during the ’61-’62 season. They were called 5-7-come-11 and all three players have been inducted into the Hall of Fame at Norwich.

Bob was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the Army and while stationed in Germany, rose to become a company commander. After finishing his service time, he returned to the States in 1965 and began work in the insurance industry. In the past, Bob served as a chairperson for the Juvenile Diabetes Association and has worked for Special Friends to help individuals with developmental disabilities.

Bob pursued his love of hockey as a coach at St. John’s Prep in Shrewsbury and later at the College of the Holy Cross, where he coached the freshman team for four years and was assistant varsity coach for six years. In his spare time, he returned to school and received a MA in School Administration from Worcester State College.

Upon his retirement, Bob assisted with fundraising efforts for the Club. He and his wife Mary live in West Boylston and have two children, Robert and Patrick. 

Robert Skinner