Donald P. Skoog, M.D.
September 29, 1931 – October 7, 2019
Donald P. Skoog, M.D. passed away on Oct 7, 2019 from cancer. He was born in 1931 to Paul and Mary Ann Skoog of Hubbard, Nebraska.
Don graduated from the very small high school in Hubbard. He graduated magna cum laude and as class president from Midland College in Fremont, Nebraska in 1953. He served Midland in many leadership roles and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He was instrumental in the formation of a Midland collegiate baseball team. He was the team’s catcher. He also was the catcher on two semi-professional teams. Many family members have followed in Don’s footsteps by attending Midland.
At Midland Don met Mary Ann Bunn from Blair, Nebraska. Don fell in love with Bunny when he first saw her singing a solo with the college choir. They married in 1955 and became the proud and active parents of Robert, David, and Kristin. Don and Mary Ann’s devotion to one another remained strong throughout both of their lives. They attended Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, where Mary Ann sang in the choir, and, thankfully, Don did not. Don enjoyed the Men’s Bible Study groups and served on the church council.
Don graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical School in 1958, and then specialized in clinical pathology, with certifications in hematology and blood banking. He was a Fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas during 1962-63. He served most of his medical career as a hematologist at Clarkson Hospital in Omaha. He was recognized in 2007 as a Clarkson Legend in the initial group of awardees. Don served as President of the local Alpha Omega Alpha honorary medical society from 1976-1977. Don was active in the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP), and designed check sample programs for the organization. Don finished his career Medical Director of the Midwest Region of the American Red Cross. At the Red Cross in the early 1980s, Don oversaw the implementation of programs to prevent HIV in the blood supply. Don was a respected and active member of the medical community. In his retirement years, the highlight of Don’s week was the Wednesday breakfast with his former colleagues.
Don relished his Swedish ancestry and became quite literate in using the Swedish language. He enjoyed photography, duck and bird hunting, and fishing. Don and Bunny built a vacation home near Questa, New Mexico where they enjoyed the scenic beauty and art of the area. Family and friends continue to enjoy their legacy at that home.
He was preceded in death by his son, David and beloved wife, Mary Ann. He is survived by his daughter, Kristin and son, Robert; Rob’s wife, Emily Kane; grandkids: Nicholas, Amelia, Maxwell, Cailin, and Riley; and many loving nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren. Surviving Skoog siblings are Gerald (Elizabeth), Alan (Mary Ann), and Mary Anne (Roger) Schwarten.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 9th from 5pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel. SERVICES: Thursday, October 10th at 11am at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 1031 Sunset Trail in Omaha. Graveside Service: Thursday at 2pm at Blair, Nebraska Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Luther Memorial Lutheran Church; UNMC/Dr. Donald P. and Mary Ann Bunn Skoog Family Scholarship; Midland University/Dr. Don and Mary Ann Skoog Scholarship.
9 Comments
I wish I was able to make it to the services. Don was a wonderful uncle to us! And will be missed!
I knew Dr. Skoog many years ago when he was an intern at Clarkson Hospital. I worked there as an RN. He was a kind and considerate man and a joy to be around.
I live in Wisconsin but read the Omaha World Herald often and just happened to see the obit. My condolences to his family.
Dr. Skoog was such a nice guy. He was a good hunting friend of my late father, Don Begley. Now both of them are in the happy hunting grounds.
Don Skoog was a wondefful positive classmate with deep committment to really helping those in need. When my husband Dr Warren Berggren and i served in the Congo and in Haiti and with Save the Children in 26 countries, Don nbever failed to encourage us and to urge others to help us. He went to great trouble to be present at our last class reunion, and his gentle spirit was a great coimfort to me. May God receive him with open arms in Heaven today and always!
Dr. Skoog was Medical Director at the Red Cross when I worked there. I remember him as being such a nice gentleman and very personable. Though he is gone, he lives on in the memories of those whose lives he touched.
We are praying our Lord will comfort all of you in your loss. I think I can count the number of times I saw my cousin, Donnie Paul, on one hand but I remember liking him and Bunny very much. My mother was his aunt, Elizabeth Emma Skoog.Nelson. I remember Donnie Paul and Bunny coming to see us (the Nelsons) at Gull Lake in Minnesota. I think the last time I saw Donnie Paul was at Aunt Edla’s funeral in Graceville. He was a gracious gentleman. Our heartfelt condolences – Bonnie and Matt
Rob & Kristie: I have many fond memories of your family. My Mother, Rita always talked about growing up east of Herman and of Byron, Lenna, Mary Ann, Jack and Bunn’s Lake. Don and Mary Ann came to many of our family event over the years. My folks thought very highly of your parents. Don came to mother’s funeral in Tekamah in 2014 and mother left instructions that he was to sit with the family. I know my father has tried to communicate with Don over the past five years but the cards were returned, My Dad, Wayne said he will be attending the graveside service in Blair. Sincere condolences. Tom Lipps
Don was my very special cousin. He was also a friend, and a mentor. He will be greatly missed.
Dr Skoog was a fine gentleman. I only met him once, a couple of years ago when he was visiting his daughter Kristin in Colorado Springs. She was hosting a Board meeting of Wild Connections. He observed our deliberations from a comfy chair near by, and he and I (both of us hearing impaired 🙂 ) had a conversation about hunting and fishing. It was a real treat. He lived a good life, filled with good works and will be greatly missed by his family, work colleagues, and old and new friends.
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