Bernard Einer Skud died suddenly at his home in Oak Harbor on April 16, 2014 at the age of 87. Bernie was the son of Ferdinand and Elma (Hendrickson) Skud, born Jan. 31, 1927 in Ironwood, Mich. He graduated from Luther L. Wright High School and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Following his military service, Bernie received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the University of Michigan. He was married to the former Patricia Dufflin in Wakefield, Mich., on Aug. 20, 1950.
Bernie worked as a marine biologist for 40 years, including work for the U.S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries in Alaska, New England and the Gulf of Mexico.
He served as Chief of Alaska Herring Investigations, Assistant Director Galveston, Texas, and Director in Boothbay Harbor, Maine.
He attended Princeton University (1967-68) as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow of Public and International Affairs. From 1970-78, he served as Director of International Pacific Halibut Commission in Seattle.
In 1978, he moved on to become division chief in National Marine Fisheries Service, Washington, D.C. and Scientific Advisor in Narragansett, R.I., until 1985.
His next stop was as Director of International North Pacific Fisheries Commission, Vancouver, British Columbia, from 1986 to 1991. Bernie retired in 1991 after a 40-year career and made Oak Harbor his home.
Bernie had served as committee chairman at scientific meetings of the International North Atlantic Fisheries Commission and the International Council for Exploration of the Sea (Copenhagen, Denmark); President of the American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists (1982-84); Life Member of American Fisheries Society and held offices in other scientific organizations. He published over 100 technical papers and popular articles on salmon, herring, lobsters, halibut and mackerel.
Bernie was listed in several Who’s Who, served as adjunct Professor for the School of Fisheries, University of Washington and the University of Rhode Island. He traveled to 36 countries on business and pleasure, was a 50-year member of the American Legion, a member of Rotary International, served on the Board of Directors for St. Andrews Hospital in Boothbay, Maine, was a Rotarian in Boothbay Harbor and the University Club in Seattle.
Bernie is survived by his wife of 54 years, Pat, of Oak Harbor; three sons, Timothy Skud, of Alexandria, Va.; Ferd Skud, of Anchorage, Alaska and Eric Skud and wife Ann of Redmond, Wash., and one sister, Elaine Allen, and husband Robert of Palo Alto, Calif. He was preceded in death by his parents and by one sister, Joan Heinbaugh.
A Celebration of Life will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, April 24, 2014 at Wallin Funeral Home in Oak Harbor ,with Pastor Dave Johnson officiating. Cremation was held with private family interment to follow. Please visit Bernie’s page in the Book of Memories at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and condolences.
