Dear Bolles Community,

Our community has lost a great man, alumnus and friend. A. Chester Skinner Jr. ’40 – who has been a constant force in the Bolles community since its earliest years – passed away peacefully on Friday, August 7, 2020. His passing marks an end to an era of guidance, support and wisdom he shared for his beloved alma mater. His love for the School is proven through the numerous volunteer positions he held and countless projects he oversaw in all areas of school life. He was known for always seeking campus improvements and for keeping a keen eye on the San Jose Campus until his passing at age 98.

I know I speak for the entire Bolles family when I articulate sadness over this news. No one has done more for Bolles than Chester Skinner and I invite all of you to take a moment to reflect on the many ways he enriched our country, our city and The Bolles School.

Mr. Skinner has been involved with Bolles on many levels, both hands-on and otherwise, since his years as a battalion commander, class president, valedictorian and honor cadet in the Bolles Class of 1940. While a student at Bolles, he achieved the nickname “Moo” because his father operated a dairy farm and furnished the School with all its milk in exchange for tuition. Mr. Skinner went on to Georgia Institute of Technology where he earned a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree with highest honors and later served in the Army designing, testing and assembling radar units. He also was employed as an engineer with Reynolds, Smith and Hill before starting and operating a dairy, Meadowbrook Farms, with his brother, Brightman. Mr. Skinner was inducted into the Georgia Tech College of Engineering Hall of Fame in 1999 and has a long history of philanthropy in the Jacksonville community.

Mr. Skinner’s love for Bolles football has never wavered. In addition to helping coach the Bolles Bulldogs in their early years, Skinner has remained a close supporter of the team and its coaches over the years. His assistance to Bolles, however, has been even more far-reaching.  He was named as a member of the Bolles Board of Trustees in 1961 and has assisted with numerous projects through the years.  Some of Mr. Skinner’s “marks on Bolles” include beautiful handcrafted Pedroni stone benches and wooden banquet tables around Bolles Hall, football field players’ benches that Mr. Skinner made in his backyard, campus statues memorializing Bolles’ military history, our memorial flagpoles flanking the front of campus, “Flag Court,” and “Commencement Pointe” on the River Campus, tree plantings, school crests made of stone, the construction of the San Jose Campus’ river road to the Lower School Campus (said to have been made in one night under Skinner’s direction with him as the bulldozer driver), the construction of Skinner-Barco Stadium, athletic storage and signage showcasing achievements for all facilities, the stadium press box, athletic display cases, team uniforms and meals, mascot costumes, entrance signage, Valedictory Hall signage in Bolles Hall, a batting cage, flag donations, residential property transactions to expand the campus, locker rooms for swimmers and football players, stadium lighting, weight room equipment and the expansion of the Coaches Office creating the new and improved Mike Barrett Strength and Conditioning Room, and even the School’s San Jose Boulevard billboard – just to name a tangible few contributions.  Most recently, he honored former Head Coach Corky Rogers with “Corky Rogers Plaza” creating a beautiful tribute to his football career and a new stadium entrance.  This does not include his tremendous and constant presence, which he shared generously with Bolles coaches, administrators and students over his many years.

Bolles President Emeritus Harry deMontmollin ’56 shared his thoughts on Mr. Skinner several years ago during a special dinner Bolles hosted in his honor. His reflections inspire and enrich and I share them with you below.

“Not-for-profit corporations are unique creations, especially those that operate like a regular business and Bolles is one of those – this sort of structure depends on the special relationship between the generous and inspirational volunteers who serve as officers and those professionals hired to carry out their vision. There has been one constant through all these years and that’s A. Chester Skinner Jr. who served as a trustee and vice chair of the board for more than 20 years, building on a standard of excellence exemplified by his designation as Valedictorian of the Class of 1940. Chester brought stability, consistency and most importantly, extraordinary vision to his role.”

I would also like to share words from former longtime Bolles Head Football Coach Corky Rogers, who had a special, longstanding relationship with Mr. Skinner in support of Bolles athletics prior to his passing the past year. At the same dinner, Coach Rogers regaled him with these words:

“Chester Skinner is class. Chester Skinner is what Bolles stands for – he is The Bolles School, and anybody who’s been around it knows that. (To exemplify Skinner’s humility, he recalled a board meeting he attended during which Skinner described himself as simply, a farmer.) As we know, he’s much more than that. It’s already been told he was valedictorian of his class, but he’d say, ‘Coach there weren’t very many people in the class back then.’ We may forget what you said, or what you did, but we’ll never forget how you made us feel. We love you.”

And Bolles loves the Skinner family. Our sympathies, support and prayers are with Mr. Skinner’s children and their families: Chester III “Chip” ’70, Kathy ’72, David ’77 and Christopher ’80. We are grateful for this special relationship over the years and hold all these significant memories dear as we remember Mr. Skinner’s legacy of generosity toward the Bolles community. Today, we not only celebrate him, but also the legacy of his 10 great grandchildren and one grandson who continue in their grandfather’s footsteps by attending Bolles today. And, while time marches on, he will forever remain in our hearts and halls. 

Respectfully,
Tyler Hodges
President and Head of School

For those wishing to give a gift in Mr. Skinner’s memory, the family has requested them to be given to The Skinner Family Endowment for Bolles Athletics. Gifts may be sent to the Office of Advancement, 7400 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida 32217. Questions may be sent to SharmaR@Bolles.org.

We are collecting notes and cards for the family. If you would like to send a personal note you may email: webmaster@Bolles.org or mail them to: The Bolles School Communications, 7400 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida  32217.

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