One of Dutchess Community College's (DCC) original "pioneers" who became a legend at the Poughkeepsie, N.Y., school, the late Richard L. Skimin '57 created its Department of Health, Recreation, Athletics and Dance, started and directed its intercollegiate athletic program and was a tireless community volunteer during his 39 years at the College.
A native of Saginaw, Mich., Skimin attended Bennett High in Buffalo, N.Y. He earned a bachelor's degree from SUNY Cortland and a master's degree from Michigan State University.
While at Cortland, Skimin was captain of both the Red Dragon football and baseball teams. He played quarterback and defensive back on the gridiron, where his 68-yard interception return against the University of Buffalo in 1954 is still among the longest in school history.
In 1958, Skimin was one of the original 13 faculty members hired at DCC, then just a single building, and immediately set about establishing the Health and Physical Education Department and an intercollegiate athletics program. He was instrumental in the construction of Falcon Hall, the athletic facility on the DCC campus, in 1965.
He coached the DCC baseball, basketball and cross country teams. In 1966, he took over the golf and bowling teams. Meanwhile, he added wrestling and women's basketball, volleyball, softball and bowling programs. He also served as the college's intramural director in addition to his physical education teaching load.
Skimin was a founder and president of the Eastern Junior College Athletic Conference. He also served as president of the Mid-Hudson Chapter of the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials and the Mid-Hudson Chapter of the New York State Public High School Soccer Officials.
A golf enthusiast and the New York State Golf Association secretary, he established the John Orcutt Golf Tournament in honor of a DCC colleague who died from spinal bifida. Skimin also co-chaired the NYS Division of American Cancer Society State Golf Tournament. He was elected posthumously into the Dutchess County Golf Hall of Fame and was also inducted into the Dutchess County Old Timers Baseball Association Hall of Fame.
Within the community, Skimin served on the Dutchess County Legislature in the early 1970's. He worked to create the Dutchess County Office for the Aged, the position of county parks commissioner, and assisted in drafting the charter for the county's sports museum. He was president of the Miss Dutchess County Scholarship Pageant and the Exchange Club of Poughkeepsie.
Known affectionately to all at DCC as "Coach," Skimin was one of just two original faculty members on staff when he retired on May 22, 1996. He died of a heart attack on Oct. 20, 1998. The following year, DCC named its baseball field in his honor.
Skimin and his late wife, Josephine, are survived by three daughters: Kelly-Sue, Stacey and Kristin.
