JARS v51n1 - In Memoriam: Frank Skerbeck, M.D.

In Memoriam: Frank Skerbeck, M.D.

Frank was born in Superior, Wis., on May 31, 1920. When he was 2 years old his family moved to homestead a farm near Iron River, Wis., which gave Frank an agrarian background.

In 1942 he earned a bachelor of science degree at the University of Wisconsin and enlisted in the Army Air Force. In 1944 he and his wife Dorothy were married, and he flew on an air crew in the 20th A.F. in the Pacific.

In 1950 he graduated from medical school at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. Later he served as a combat physician in Korea. He opened his private practice of medicine specializing in obstetrics and gynecology in Port Angeles, Wash.

Frank developed a close interest in growing rhododendrons and azaleas. In 1979 he joined the ARS, in 1981 he built a large greenhouse, and in 1987 after retiring from medical practice he started the A and R Nursery which gradually enlarged to almost 10 acres of plants and propagation beds.

For several years in the early '90s Frank served as president of the Juan de Fuca Chapter of the ARS and was awarded the Bronze Medal.

Dr. Skerbeck died on July 7, 1996, after a brief illness due to a brain tumor. He is survived by his wife Dorothy and their children. His son Andy, who had been working with him, has now taken over the nursery.