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Glen Arnold Skillrud September 30, 1920 – February 25, 2015 Glen Arnold Skillrud age 94 of San Antonio passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2015. He was born September 30, 1920 in Merrilan, Wisconsin to Amund and Stella Munson Skillrud. Growing up in Madison, Wisconsin, Mr. Skillrud enrolled in the University of Wisconsin in 1939. His education, however, was interrupted by WWII and his desire to be a Military Pilot. This led to a Presidential appointment to the U.S. Air Corps Academy in early 1941. During pre-flight training in San Antonio, Skillrud met and won the heart of Winifred MacDonald Floyd. Born in Texas and a true Daughter of the Texas Republic, the future Mrs. Skillrud was an accomplished pianist, having placed first three years in a row at a Texas Statewide Piano competition. They were married in San Antonio, in April, 1942. Following the outbreak of hostilities created by the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese, he resigned his Army commission in order to join the U.S. Navy Air Corp. In 1942, he began pre-flight training with the Navy. Successful completion and high marks enabled Lt. Skillrud to transfer to immediate service in the Anti-submarine Warfare initiative off the Atlantic seaboard. After exactly one year of service in the defense of America's shipping lanes, Lt. Skillrud was assigned to fight/bomber training and eventually assigned to the Pacific theater. After the war, Mr. Skillrud and his wife settled in California and began raising their family while he continued his education. During his military career, Lt. Skillrud had achieved the second highest flight and academic grades at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas and was one of only 25 Naval Aviators awarded Navy Wings in both HTA Heavier Than Air and LTA Lighter Than Air service. In California, his USNR service continued until 1960 when he resigned his commission in order to focus on his family and business ventures. During the 1950's and 1960's, Mr. Skillrud accomplished several business endeavors, which resulted in a concentration in the real estate development of several residential apartment and dormitory projects adjacent to the San Jose State University campus. These advances resulted in Mr. Skillrud's retirement at age 44 and relocation to his childhood home town in Madison, Wisconsin. At home in Wisconsin, Mr. Skillrud continued his real estate activities developing several properties, including the Sheraton-Madison Hotel and Conference Center. Eventually, a desire for a warmer climate caused the family to move to San Antonio, Mrs. Skillrud's home town, where the family home and businesses are located today. In 1985 Mr. Skillrud was elected President of the Golf Unit, ALZAFAR SHRINE. His installation party featured entertainment by Gene Arnold, Mr. Skillrud's son in a surprise visit. The gracious Texas lifestyle permitted more time for golf and flying the family airplane, two of Mr. Skillrud's favorite hobbies. After seventy years of marriage Mr. Skillrud was preceded in death by his wife, Winifred Floyd Skillrud. He was also preceded in death by his grandson Richard Harrison Skillrud and Richard Preusser, husband to his daughter Penny Jo. He is survived by his children, Howard Skillrud Jann, Gene Arnold Skillrud Diane and Penny Jo Preusser; sister, Joyce Del Carlo Arnold; grandchildren, Wyndi M. Skillrud, Marcus SkillrudEileen, Kristy Skillrud, Charles Preusser and Suzanne Weldon; great grandchildren, Reagan and Aubrey Weldon and Rhys Skillrud; and by numerous nieces and nephews. SERVICES Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North, 3401 Cherry Ridge Drive. The Service will be on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at 12:00 P.M. at the Funeral Home Chapel. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Alzafar Transportation Fund, 901 North Loop 1604 West, San Antonio, Texas 78232.

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Glen Arnold Skillrud

September 30, 1920 - February 25, 2015