Bruce Ervin Skidmore

Bruce Ervin Skidmore, 85, of Charleston, South Carolina, husband of Katherine "Kay" Robertson Skidmore entered into eternal rest Wednesday, March 27, 2024. His Memorial Service will be held Thursday, April 25, 2024 in The Chapel at Bishop Gadsden, 1 Bishop Gadsden Way at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel.

Bruce was born August 30, 1938 in Charlotte, North Carolina, son of the late Charles Ryne Skidmore and Maude Hunter Skidmore. He attended Myers Park High School in Charlotte and The Citadel, Class of 1960. He then served two years in the Army, seven years with Burlington Industries, and eighteen years as co-owner of Robertson's Cafeteria, a noted Charleston eating establishment. Bruce retired from business at age 52 to devote the rest of his life to painting. As a boy of 12 he began receiving art instruction at the Charlotte Mint Museum of Art. He pursued instruction and painted all of his life, even the years involved in the business world. Over the years he studied with some of the most noted portrait and landscape artists in the country. He was a lifelong member of the Portrait Society of America. His portraits hang in many prominent residences and institutions throughout the southeast. He painted until his death and was fond of saying that an artist never stops learning. One of his favorite stories was of the deathbed remark of Titian, the great Italian artist, at 95 years old, had painted for 80 years, and said “If I only had a few more years, I could really learn how to paint." Bruce was a member of the South Carolina Society and the Carolina Yacht Club.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Kay; son, Robert Skidmore (Ingrid); and two brothers: John Skidmore (Mary), Dale Skidmore (Beverly) all of Charlotte, NC; sisters-in-law: Becky Skidmore and Nancy Skidmore; and numerous nieces and nephews. Bruce was predeceased by a son, Alex Skidmore; and brothers: Charles Skidmore, Bill Skidmore and Steve Skidmore. 
 
Memorials may be made to Bishop Gadsden, One Bishop Gadsden Way, Charleston, SC  29412- 3575 or The Citadel Foundation, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29409.