Lincoln, NE – It is with heavy hearts that the family of Richard Wallentine Skinner, PGA announce his passing onto greener fairways on Friday, September 11, 2026 at the age of 88, surrounded by his loving and devoted wife, Sharon and daughters Sherie and Val.

Richard was born on July 9th, 1938, in Preston, Idaho, and was the son of Karl Skinner and Venus Mary Wallentine. He was raised in Preston, Idaho, and graduated from Preston High School. On March 30, 1959, Rich married the love of his life, Sharon Hill in Smithfield, Utah. Together they began a journey that would span 67 years of marriage, countless adventures, and a lifetime of memories.

The young couple first moved to a cattle ranch in Hamilton, Montana, where their daughters Sherie and Val were born. They returned to Utah, where Richard worked alongside Sharon’s father and became a journeyman electrician. It was during that time, while installing lights at the driving range at Summit Park Golf Course in Smithfield, that he discovered a passion that would shape the rest of his life. Quite simply, he fell in love with golf!

Richard enrolled in the PGA Business School in Los Angeles and graduated in 1966, launching a professional career that would span more than six decades. After working as a PGA Professional in Idaho, he moved his family to North Platte, Nebraska in 1969. There he became a respected and award-winning member of the Nebraska Section PGA. He served as the PGA Golf Professional at North Platte Country Club for 23 years before he and Sharon purchased Indian Meadows Golf Course in 1989, a place that became both a business and a legacy for their family.

Throughout his career, Richard earned numerous honors. He was named Nebraska Section PGA Teacher of the Year in 1988 and became affectionately known as “The Golf Doc.” He taught golfers of every age and skill level throughout Central Nebraska and worked with Professional Golfers from around the world. Richard was named one of the top Club Fitters in the United States in 1987.

He was inducted into the Nebraska Golf Hall of Fame in 2018, an honor presented by his LPGA Golf Professional daughter and fellow Hall of Famer, Val Skinner. At the time of his induction into the Nebraska Golf Hall of Fame a few proud stories were shared by LPGA Tour Professionals from across the country.

“I am most impressed with Richard’s ability to design and fit clubs for players who compete at the highest level of professional golf. In fact, I started playing the RS Excellence Irons, designed by Richard in 1986. That same year, with his irons in play, I won my first professional event as a member of the LPGA Tour – The U.S. Women’s Open Championship!” I went on to win the Boston 5 Classic the following week and continued to have many solid performances with his clubs in my career.” In addition, Geddes won five (5) LPGA Tour events and one more LPGA Major, the LPGA Championship with RS Excellence Irons.” –Jane Geddes – Two-time Major Champion and winner of 11 LPGA Tour Events

Richard was the father and PGA Coach to arguably the best female golfer in Nebraska Golf history, Val Skinner. Val played collegiate golf at Oklahoma State University. She was the 1980 and 1982 Big Eight Conference Champion, the 1982 Big Eight Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year, the 1982 Golf Magazine Collegiate Player of the Year, and a two-time All-American Golfer. Val would go on to have an incredible LPGA Career winning six times and 10 professional wins in total. Val won her first LPGA Tournament, the 1985 Konica San Jose Classic in a playoff over Pat Bradley with a set of irons her father made for her. She was also a member of the 1996 U.S. Solheim Cup Team. Val also established the Val Skinner Foundation to promote awareness of breast cancer risks and early breast cancer detection. The Val Skinner foundation has raised over $14 million dollars.

“World Golf Hall of Fame Member, Patty Sheehan, was asked to display items in her locker at the World Golf Hall of Fame Museum that had the biggest influence on her career. One of the items she displayed was her RS Excellence sand wedge that my father made her and ground special for her. She used his wedge for many years on tour while she amassed a brilliant career winning 35 championships, including six Major Championships.”

“Needless to say, I am proud of my father for his contributions. I am most impressed with his spirit in which he has made them. It has always been obvious it was as important to him to help a 20 handicap get to a 15 as it was being part of helping a young player earn a golf scholarship to play in college. He will always let me know if a member likes his greens or plays better with the new set of clubs he made for them. He appreciates the purist of excellence and has been a big help to many he has mentored, taught, served as head professional or simply encouraged to find enjoyment and challenge in the business and game of golf.” -Val Skinner – Daughter and Six-time LPGA Tour winner

Rich will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Sharon and his daughters, Sherie Lee and Valerie Kay, and his nephew, John Scott Simpson.

ABOUT THE NEBRASKA SECTION PGA

The Nebraska Section PGA is a non-for-profit organization comprised of over 340 PGA Members and PGA Associates who strive to promote the enjoyment and growth of the game of golf.  The Nebraska Section PGA encompasses the entire State of Nebraska, western fifth of Iowa and a small portion of South Dakota including Dakota Dunes and Yankton.  The Section office is located in Lincoln, NE and acts as a resource for local and national golf information for the golf professional and amateur player alike.  Our members are often referred to as “Club Professionals”, not to be mistaken as PGA Tour Professionals.

Each Nebraska Section PGA Professional serves as an expert in the ever-changing business of golf.  They are the leading expert players and teachers, skilled business managers, community leaders, and superior merchandisers who have dedicated their careers to the local delivery of these services.