- Date Of Birth: September 17, 1939
- Date Of Death: March 24, 2022
- State: Nebraska
Rockney (Rock) Dean Skinner passed away March 24, 2022, in Ogallala, Nebraska. He was proceeded in death by his wife, Charlene Patricia (Pat) Skinner on March 16, 2022.
Rock was born in Big Springs, Nebraska on September 17, 1939. He attended a one-room schoolhouse (District 21) with about a dozen students. He graduated from Ogallala High School in 1958. He graduated from University of Wyoming in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He met his wife Pat at University of Northern Colorado where he received his Master’s in Music Education. Rock married Pat on June 10, 1967.
At that time, they moved back to Nebraska, and started his career as a music teacher in Brule, Nebraska. From there, they moved to Evergreen, Colorado where they both taught in that school district. They then moved to the Denver area where Rock worked in a music store. After this, they moved to Grand Island, Nebraska where they were both teachers. Here they also began their love for remodeling homes.
In 1983 they moved back to Ogallala, Nebraska where Rock taught at the South Platte Public Schools. In 1989, he moved to the Ogallala Public Schools where he was the band director for the middle and high-school bands until his retirement in 2004. He returned to work in 2005 where he began teaching in Julesburg Public Schools. He transitioned from there to Ovid/Sedgwick before his second retirement in 2009.
In 1996, Rock and Pat shared their influences and love by opening their home to several foster children. They made a life-long impact on Justin, adopting him in their hearts as their son.
Rock was very active in the Ogallala community. He led Ogallala’s community summer band and jazz bands for many years. He was very active in the Kiwanis Club where he served as the president for several years and led many community events. He really enjoyed teaching and watching the success of many talented musicians from the area and taught private lessons up to his death.
Many hours were spent playing cards with family and friends. Some of their other hobbies included jeeping, camping, and testing their luck on the slots. They will be missed by all.
He is survived by his son Justin (Kimmy) Roberts of Omaha, NE; one brother, Rolland (Pat) Skinner of Hay Springs, NE; three sisters: Cleonne (Gordon) Steinmiller of Fort Collins, CO; Kristie Brill (Joseph) Switzer of Estes Park, CO; and Brenda Brill (Henry) Gimeson of Windsor, CO; mother-in-law, Ruth McNally, and one sister-in-law, Tami Conaway, both of Phoenix, AZ; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is also proceeded in death by his father, Neal Skinner, and mother, Mildred Skinner Brill.
A memorial has been set up in Rockney’s memory for the Kiwanis club.
