Robert Eastman Skabelund

LOGAN, UTAH: Robert Eastman Skabelund, 85 years old, devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away after a lengthy illness on April 24, 2009 in Logan, Utah.
He was born December 2, 1923 in Logan, Utah to Jacob Ephriam Skabelund and Lola Ann Bissegger. He was preceded in death by his three brothers and one sister. Robert spent his childhood enjoying fishing and hiking up Logan Canyon. He also worked at the family’s Malibu Lodge in Logan Canyon and later at his brother’s (Howard and Lynn) Skabelund’s Service Station on South Main in Logan. It was here that he met his future love and bride, Lorraine Petersen, daughter of Dewey and Lillian Petersen. They dated through high school and up until Robert entered military service in World War II.
Earlier in life, at the age of 11, Robert was inspired by a book on Louis Pasteur as well as a talk by David O. McKay in the Logan Tabernacle and decided at that time to dedicate his life to the service of the Lord and helping others. True to his convictions, he served the country in World War II in the U.S. Naval Air Corp. At the age of 17, he became a pilot flying Stearman’s and later PBY-2’s while stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii as a flight intelligence officer. At the conclusion of the war, Robert returned home to Logan, attended Utah State University, and was later accepted to Northwestern University Medical School with the goal of becoming a physician. Prior to moving to Chicago, Illinois to obtain his medical education, Robert was married to the love of his life, Lorraine, in the Salt Lake Temple on September 5, 1946. After obtaining his medical degree, Robert and Lorraine lived briefly in Washington, where Robert completed an internship prior to returning to Utah.
Robert opened his family practice in Lewiston, Utah where he built his reputation for excellence, and served the area for nearly ten years. He was renowned for his ability to diagnose and treat a wide variety of complex medical problems. He was, at the same time, revered for his love and devotion to his patients and any others he came in contact with. In 1960, Robert moved his medical office in proximity to Logan Hospital, just below the Logan Temple, where he continued serving Cache Valley in general medicine until 1970. At that time, he enrolled at the University of Utah School of Medicine where he completed specialty training in Anesthesiology. Robert practiced as an anesthesiologist at Logan Regional Hospital until he retired in 1990.
Robert loved life and discovery, enjoying many hobbies over the years. He particularly loved wildlife, nature, and the outdoors. He enjoyed hobby farming and planting trees at properties in Northern Cache Valley and Southern Idaho. Here he escaped from medicine, relaxed while still working, and enjoyed his free time with his family. Many of his beloved trees still adorn the yards of many homes in Cache Valley as well as the grounds of Utah State University. Robert also enjoyed “developing” several neighborhoods in the Thrushwood and Cliffside areas of Logan with his brother and contractor, Lynn. Finally, Robert was also involved in starting many businesses including Cache Valley and Star Valley Banks.
Consistent with his early goals, Robert also served actively throughout his life in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In 1978, he was called and served as a bishop in a Utah State University ward. Two years later, he was called as a Stake President of the Mount Logan Stake and served faithfully for 11 years sharing his love and knowledge of the gospel and the scripture with others. After his retirement in 1990, Robert and Lorraine accepted a mission call to Albania. Their mission was tragically cut short when Lorraine suffered a stroke en route while in Frankfurt, Germany. They returned home to Logan, where Robert cared for Lorraine until her death six years later on January 1, 1997. He also served as a patriarch in the USU 2nd Stake and cherished sharing the Lord’s plans and blessings for the young members of the Church. Robert was later married again, this time to Janet Johnson, and they served a humanitarian mission together to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, a part of the world Robert had been interested in for many years. He returned to Logan to continue serving as a patriarch.
Robert suffered from Parkinson’s disease for the last several years of his life. He moved to the Williamsburg Retirement Community late in 2006 where he was well cared for, loved, and respected by the Williamsburg staff until his death.
Robert devoted his life to loving and serving others. Many people’s lives are better for having known Robert. He is survived by six children, Susan Barton (Bob), David (Teresa), Steven (Vanette), Gregory (Shelley), Courtney (Shanna), Marcia Johnson (Todd), 18 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
A viewing will be held at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center Street, Logan, Utah on Wednesday, April 29th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. A funeral service is scheduled at the Mt. Logan Stake Center, 650 East Center St. on Thursday April 30th at 12:00 pm , with a viewing from 10:30 - 11:30 am. followed by graveside services at Logan City Cemetery where Robert will be interred next to his wife Lorraine.
The family wishes to give a special thanks to all of the supportive friends and family in Robert’s life, his physician Dr. Russell Hirst, his Access hospice providers, and the Williamsburg Retirement Community staff and patients.
In lieu of flowers, Robert would want friends and family to plant a tree in remembrance of the importance of loving, nurturing, and caring for all of God’s creations. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family online at www.allenmortuaries.net