Professor Skinner was a theoretical physicist best known for his work on relativity. His books on relativity are still available in Dover reprints.
During his career at the University (1954 - 1988), his greatest contribution to the institution and the Physics department was his dedication to teaching and to motivating the students. He gave students liberally of his time, frequently providing additional help on Saturday mornings. He counselled students about their problems, progress in courses (including those taught by other professors), and helped to solve personal problems.
Besides being a task master, he was also a compassionate man who could stimulate both gifted and less talented students. He could explain very abstract and difficult subjects in simple and clear terms. Throughout his career, he was a dedicated academic with concern for the quality of education at the University. His courses were always demanding but extremely rewarding as well.
An awesome textbook, clearly explaining relativity using simple examples, and backing it up with elegant mathematics.
This textbook was written by my professor back in my undergrad days, Ray Skinner. He taught the course, and we used the textbook he wrote. He was an amazing man, and he brought out the best in his students.
Any student that failed an exam was forced to rewrite (as many times as needed) until they achieved a passing mark. This was the first time I had heard of such a concept, and it's widespread now.
He didn't finish out the semester... about halfway through the class he told the class that his cancer had returned, and that he expected to be hospitalized. He passed away within a month.
Here's to you Ray! Your impact is still with me, and has affected me profoundly.