Services for Jack William Skeels will be on Monday, April 25, at 10:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 946 Vermont Street, Lawrence, KS.
Jack was born on November 3, 1929, in Wausau, WI. He was the son of Gertrude Preuss Skeels and Lawrence John Skeels. He grew up in the Wausau, WI area, and spent his time working 2 paper routes, to help support his family, and reading. A high school teacher ignited his love of learning, and through hard work and military service, Jack was able to attend the University of Wisconsin. While there, Jack attained a B.A. in Economics with High Honors in 1951, and a Ph.D in Economics in 1957. Jack served in the military from 1951-1953, and was stationed on the island of Guam. He completed his post-doctoral work at Wayne State University in the Detroit, MI area, where he compiled an oral history the development of Unionism in the Automobile Industry. Jack then began his long and rewarding teaching career at Northern Illinois University, which spanned from 1963 until 1997. During his time at NIU, along with a full teaching load, Jack published over 20 articles, and was director of numerous doctoral dissertations. While at NIU, Jack held the positions of Full Professor, Chairman of the Department of Economics, Associate Dean-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Associate Provost, and chaired various other committees. In 1974 Jack started an outside consulting business as a Forensic Economist, and provided expert testimony in wrongful death, injury, discrimination and divorce cases, as well as some economic evaluations of business and collective bargaining situations.
Upon his retirement in 1997, Jack moved to Lawrence, KS to live near his daughter, Jennifer Nelson. A short time later, Jack met the love of his life, Barbara Frick. They were married in June of 1999 and Barbara preceded him in death in October, 2004. Jack lived a rich life in Lawrence, which included volunteer work at the Lawrence Library and LINK. He enjoyed dining out with friends and his coffee spots. Jack’s most important role after his retirement was that of Father/Grandfather to Chase Waterman, and Grandfather to Ian, Tori, Chris and Lee Nelson. Jack was rarely absent from a school concert, open house, or sporting meet. He served as a valued advisor and mentor, and encouraged his children and grandchildren in whatever path they chose in life.
Jack is survived by his daughter Jennifer Nelson, son-in-law Tom Nelson and children Ian, Tori, Chris and Lee Nelson of Lawrence. He is also survived by Chase Waterman, wife Jennifer Waterman, and daughter Ava of Colorado Springs, CO. Also surviving is son Jack Allen Skeels and wife Michelle Herman, of Topanga, CA.
Donations may be made to Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen (LINK) in lieu of flowers.
Thanks, all for your kind words here. I was unable to make the services due to some family issues, but here is the eulogy I published that day on Facebook for him.
He was a good man, and like all good men, sought to do the best he could all of the time. He was a teacher by profession and in life. I learned a lot from him. As often happens with fathers and sons, much of what I learned was from pushing off and away from him. We hadn’t had much direct communications for the last several years. He joins his wife, Barb, his ex-wife and my mother, Joyce, and the rest of his direct family of birth (brother, half-brother, parents and step-parents) in the great beyond.
I’m sad that he has passed, and with that passing, the loss of the chance to do more, learn more from him. He taught me how to think about problems, and the value of studying things before you try to do them. In my tragedy-filled childhood, he at times was an anchor, other times absent. I learned from both, and we had some amazing moments where we were more like brothers than father and son, playing ping-pong, tennis, and enjoying wine and food. He gave me my appreciation of fine food and wines, and the friendship that comes with their enjoyment. We drank a toast to him last night. Many of them.
I learned bravery from him and sought out an understanding of my personal manhood. Much of this was in response to his personal challenges from what was probably a more brutal childhood than mine. Even as an adult, the little boy and the memories of those times echoed in his soul, making him almost timid at times, often premeditated and calculating in a way designed to keep him safe. I’ve been on a 25-year journey of exploring my soul as a result, with wonderful results. He followed a path better than his father, and it enabled me to do the same. Both he and my mother succeeded in this regard – our home, as messed up as it was, was far better than what either of them had grown up with, and in that way gave me a chance to do even better. That’s a gift that gives forever.
I chose to not have children, fearing that I would replicate a disaster that I never understood. For him, the memories of our tough family times were largely untouchable. The enigma of this drove me to study harder how people behave and can be with each other. A relentless study of organizations – aimed at explaining what went wrong and what should have gone right in my childhood – underlies much of what I do for a living now and the thousands of people’s lives that we’ve touched. In the end, the things I discovered made my life better and richer, and has for others as well. It gave my life meaning – and a gift to the world that will outlive both of us.
As much as that is – and it is a lot – I’m sad that we weren’t able to do more. I will always love him, hold him deeply in my heart, and know that in so very many ways I carry him with me every day, in every moment.
Rest in Peace, dad. I love you.
Please accept my sincere condolences. Jack was the senior labor economist in the Department when I was hired and always provided guidance in a kind and professional manner. He was a wonderful senior faculty member. I shall always recall him fondly.
My sincere condolences from this former undergraduate student in one of his classes. He was the best econ prof I ever had at NIU. Sorry to hear this news.
I’m so sorry Jack to hear of Jack’s passing.Your dad was the best chair ever. I still remember when he used to host the grads/faculty baseball game in that long back yard in DeKalb.He always gave me little tips that made life less complicated.He was so good to us 3 secretaries and made working for him a pleasure. Please convey my condolences to the family. You I knew, Jack, thanks to your dad’s recommendation, you and your friend put in a picture window in our kitchen.
Our condolences to you, Jack and Michelle. Jack, the memories you shared of your Dad seem so heartfelt and honest, your portrayal of how rich and complicated a relationship can be. Beautifully and respectfully written.
Condolences on your loss. I remember him well even though I was very young at the time
We are truly sorry to hear this sad news. He was a great man and a wonderful racket ball player as well as a very good friend. He will be dearly missed.
My sincerest condolences to all. The sadness of the passing of the family mantle is only outweighed by the joyful memories of what has been passed down to us. Jack will be missed.
Sorry to hear this news. Very impressive biography. Our best wishes go out to you Jack, Michele, and Skeels family.