Skip was a good person with a unique sense of humor and I consider myself lucky to have known Skip.

Skip was particularly gifted mechanically and I would often seek Skips help with various projects, such as plumbing, furniture assembly, building a kiosk or anything construction or mechanical in nature, since this is not my strong-point. Skip had a passion for learning and understanding how things work.He did not always rely on instructions and could see a bunch of parts and visualize assemblies and their purpose in the end product.He was never afraid to jump right in and just start putting pieces together.We didn’t always use all the parts and often ended up with something unique at the end of the process that may not have been built as designed but always functional, working and sometimes an upgrade.We built a kiosk together some years ago.For me, this seemed a daunting task with so many parts and assemblies.I started opening boxes, pulling instructions and inventorying parts to try and understand how each piece functions.Skips jumps right in and starts putting things together and just says this is a giant erector set.I just played along and let Skip do his thing.When we were done, we had a setup that was nothing like the picture, but none-the-less, an end product was created that was completely functional and worked just as well as the planned design would have yielded.Not to mention, he probably built it in less than half the time and we had lots of spare parts left over.

Skip was never afraid to push a button and not just Jo Ann’s buttons.One time, Skip was helping us get our new office location setup and came across an obscure button in the backroom.His curiosity took over and he pressed that button wondering what would happen only to find out that button was the silent alarm.Needless to say, we found out the silent alarm worked when the police arrived.

These are just a couple of examples of Skips skills, generosity and friendship.Skip was always willing to help and never expected much in return, except for a good meal or steak on occasion. Skip had some rough edges and we are very different people, but when I got to know him, I learned he was a truly nice person with a good heart along with a brutally honest sense of humor as well as someone who enjoyed the small pleasures in life.I always enjoyed Skips company and I will miss him, but I am glad that I had an opportunity to know him and call him my friend.

Written by Gabe Beck

Skip was my Heart, mi Corazon, me amore

He was my Rock

He was a good man

He was kind & giving

Yet fueled by justice & occasional tantrums.

He was my best friend for 25 years

My Buddy

Gizmo’s Daddy, Laura’s Dad, Brandon’s GrandPa

He had a good and strange sense of humor

He was trainable

And he taught me a lot, but not enough (time) to learn more

He was smart in practical ways, I have the book smarts, and we were a Great Team.

He was inventive and creative

Sometimes lacking with the follow-thru he loved his projects from 3D printers to Bradley car building.

He was fidgety and unfortunately a heavy smoker (of Marlboro’s).

I actually miss his “bugging and irritating” as he called it.

Gizmo does not cry and sob as much as me. Skip’s loving Spirit stays in our hearts Forever.

Written By Jo Ann Koons: 

I had so many good times with my Uncle Bruce. I didn’t get to spend a whole lot of time with him since we had so many miles between us, but the times I got to spend with him were always so fun! My cheeks always hurt from him making me laugh so hard, from his jokes, to his wise cracks, to making funny faces at me. We had a blast in Las Vegas hitting up all the buffets and eating our way through Vegas. Disney World was amazing and out of this world, it truly was a great family vacation where memories were made. And, all our family trips back to Virginia for anniversary parties, family reunions, and so much more – Bruce always made it fun and entertaining for me! I admired how “handy” he was, he was a “Jack-of-all-Trade” always fixing, building, replacing anything and everything. I loved how creative he was from building and rebuilding bikes/trailers/cars to his engraving business. And of course I will never forget his dress of style, I just loved his variety of Hawaiian/flowery shirts (and don't forget the flip flops) - you certainly knew when he walked into a room! He was an awesome Uncle and I’m truly going to miss him.