Dr. Kenneth Robert Skillern, Ph. D., 79, passed away Sunday, May 23, 2021, at St. Joseph Rehabilitation Center in Bryan, TX. Ken was born on January 15, 1942, to John and Daisy (Millsap) Skillern in Washington, D. C., the second of three children. An Eagle Scout, he graduated from Pequannock Township High School, Pompton Plains, NJ, in 1960, and continued his education with B. S. (Chemistry with honors, Arkansas, 1964), studied at Duke, 1965-1966, and Ph. D. (Chemistry, TCU, 1976) degrees. While attending the University of Arkansas as an Air Force ROTC cadet, he was inducted into the Arnold Air Society.
Ken served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force from 1967 to 1972, including multiple deployments to Vietnam to fly combat missions in the O-2 as a “Covey” Forward Air Controller and the KC-135 on worldwide aerial refueling missions from Carswell AFB, Fort Worth, TX.
Ken began his profession as a Research Chemist for Texaco in Bellaire, TX, in 1976, innovating solutions for offshore drilling operations at remote, sometimes exotic, sites around the world, retiring after a productive and successful career in 1997.
Ken’s first marriage to Margaret Ellen (Pinkerton) Skillern Rogers produced two sons. His second marriage was to Patricia Ann (Weir) Skillern at Lake Tahoe, CA, in 1997. He loved Pat very deeply, enjoyed their life together and looked forward to seeing her again after her passing in 2018.
Ken volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America and supported the Kiwanis of Navasota in their mission to improve the lives of children by setting up a scholarship for high school graduates in pursuit of higher education. He also made scientific contributions to French architect Jean-Pierre Houdin’s work regarding the internal ramp theory of construction of the pyramids in Egypt.
Ken is survived by his sister and brother-in-law Mary and John Muller; sons Ken and Kevin; grandchildren Mia, Cole, Blake, Anna, Lauren, Audrey, Eva, and Sean; and nephews John Skillern and Fred, Matthew, Mark and Luke Muller. Ken was preceded in death by his wife Pat, parents John and Daisy, brother John and nephew Robert.
A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held September 25, 2021, at noon at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale, Houston, TX 77023. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a worthy cause in your neighborhood.
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