Richard Wallentine Skinner, 88, of North Platte, NE, passed away on Friday September 11, 2026, surrounded by his loving and devoted wife and daughters.

Rich was born on July 9th, 1938, in Preston Idaho and was the son of Karl Skinner and Venus Mary Wallentine. He was raised in Preston Idaho and graduated from Preston High School. On March 30, 1959, Rich married the love of his life, Sharon Hill in Smithfield, Utah. Together they began a journey that would span 67 years of marriage, countless adventures, and a lifetime of memories.

The young couple first moved to a cattle ranch in Hamilton Montana, where their daughters Sherie and Val were born. They later returned to Utah, where Rich worked alongside Sharon’s father and became a journeyman electrician. It was during that time, while installing lights at the driving range at Summit Park golf course in Smithfield, that he discovered a passion that would shape the rest of his life. Quite simply, he fell in love with golf.

Rich enrolled in the PGA Business School in Los Angeles and graduated in 1966, launching a professional career that would span more than six decades. After working as a PGA Professional in Idaho, he moved his family to North Platte in 1969. There he became a respected and award-winning member of the Nebraska Section of the PGA. He served as the golf professional at North Platte Country Club for 23 years before he and Sharon purchased Indian Meadows Golf Course in 1989, a place that became both a business and a legacy for their family.

Throughout his career, Rich earned numerous honors. He was named Nebraska Section PGA Teacher of The Year in 1988 and became affectionately known as “The Golf Doc.” He taught golfers of every age and skill level throughout Central Nebraska and worked with professional golfers from around the world. Rich was recognized as one of the nation’s top Club Fitters. He was inducted into the Nebraska Golf Hall of Fame in 2018, an honor presented by his LPGA Golf Professional daughter and fellow Hall of Famer, Val Skinner.

Athletic by nature, Rich enjoyed baseball, softball and skiing, but golf was always his sport. His passion for teaching, custom club fitting, and helping others improve their game kept him active in the golf industry for more than 60 years.

Rich was a self-made man who believed that if something was worth doing, it was worth doing well. He valued passion, commitment, hard work, and talent. He was straight forward, honest, and never wasted words. A man of few words, he often said more with a simple comment than others could with a lengthy speech.

He had a wonderful sense of humor and was known for his quick one-liners. If Rich liked you, chances are he gave you a nickname, and it usually stuck for life. He was a mentor to many, admired people with vision, and discovering golf courses in unexpected places. Few things made him happier than finding 18 holes in the middle of nowhere and playing a round.

Rich loved his family. He built a life rooted in dedication, integrity, and quiet strength. The lessons he taught, the friendships he made, and the countless golfers he influenced will continue to leave a lasting mark on those fortunate enough to have known him.

Rich will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Sharon and his daughters, Sherie Lee and Valerie Kay, and his nephew, John Scott Simpson.

He was preceded in death by his parents Karl and Venus Skinner; his brothers Bobby Dean Skinner, Karl Wilson Skinner, and Ashley Skinner; his sister Helen Simpson; and his niece Kathleen Simpson Wharton.

Rich was never one to seek attention or talk about himself. He simply did what he loved, worked hard, and took care of the people he cared about. Golf was his world, but family was always his home. We will miss the sound of his voice, his quick wit, and the steady presence that we loved.

He has walked on ahead.

Visitation will be held at Carpenter Memorial Chapel on Friday, September 18th from 5:00-7:00PM. A Celebration of Life will be held at Harbor Lights on Saturday September 19th at 2:00PM.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in memory of Richard Skinner to The First Tee of Omaha or the American Heart Association.