Harry V. "Bud" Skoog passed away at his Petaluma home on October 8, 2012, two days after his 90th birthday. He was born in Petaluma in 1922, attended Penngrove School, graduated from Petaluma High School in 1941. After a short time at SRJC he joined the Navy at the outbreak of World War II serving as crew on a troop transport ship traveling the South Pacific, India Ocean then the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea After helping to decommission the ship, he was discharged in 1946. Next he enrolled at the University of San Francisco on the G.I. Bill and a football scholarship.
In December of 1946 he married Lorraine Byce, also from Petaluma. After graduation from USF in 1950, they returned to Petaluma where he continued his love of football playing for the Petaluma Leghorns. His first job on returning to Petaluma was teaching agriculture to G.I. Vets, followed by ten years as a well known farm equipment salesman. In 1961 he started a successful 26 year career with the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company.
Bud was a member of the Rotary Club, coached the Petaluma "Chicks" Pop Warner football team, was a leader at Live Oak 4-H Club and served for 12 years as a member of the Liberty School Board. Retirement years were enjoyed by traveling with Elderhostel and the Go-Fer Kix RV Club. He was a member of SIRS 100. He loved to golf. He especially enjoyed his country home and family. Bud was a long time member of the United Church of Christ.
Bud will be greatly missed by his beloved wife of 65 years, Lorraine, his three daughters, Kristine Skoog of Cotati; Kathy (Richard) Potts of Petaluma; Karlyn (Scott) Wilson of Beaver, PA; and grandchildren, Danny Potts, Leanne Potts, Shawna Wilson and Jody (Roger) Garza, and great grandchild Ryan Garza. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Florence Skoog and brothers Clifford and Kenneth Skoog.
The family is grateful to the VAMC Santa Rosa Home Based Primary Care and Hospice of Petaluma. Family and friends will gather for a memorial service at the United Church of Christ, 825 Middlefield Dr., Petaluma 2:00 p.m. on Sunday October 14, 2012. Memorial donations can be made to the organization of your choice.