H. Skillman Suydam
Born January 17, 1934 in New Brunswick, New JerseyDeparted September 6, 2023 in Rockledge, Florida
Skillman Suydam, age 89, of Melbourne, Florida, passed away with the Lord by his side on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 from natural causes at Vitas Hospice in Rockledge, Florida.
Skillman lived life as a champion, both as a water skier and in his Christian walk. Growing up on a lake in Orlando, Florida, both Skillman and his father, Henry Suydam, who had suffered the loss of his left arm, became enchanted with the sport of water skiing after visiting Cypress Gardens in 1948. It is told that Skillman stood under the “wishing tree” an prayed a blessing that he mightbecome a water skier who would make his parents proud. Indeed he did!
On their lake, using a row boat with a 22 horsepower Johnson motor and a pair of homemade water skis, father and son taught themselves to water ski. Both went on to compete, and eventually Skillman’s father became the water ski coach at Rollins College.
In 1949, following a trip to Cypress Gardens, where Skillman learned to jump, he entered the Dixie Water Ski Tournament and won the Junior Boys division. Renowned water ski coach, Dick Pope Jr., took an interest in Skillman and taught him the finer points of jumping. That same year Skillman also won the Junior Boys division at the Water Ski Nationals and successfully defended his title in 1950.
In 1951, Skillman skied in the Men’s Division at the Water Ski Nationals where he went head to head with his good friend, Dick Pope, Jr., for the Men’s Overall Champion. After several runoffs in slalom, Skillman edged out Pope to take the title. Skillman also competed in archery and pistol shooting.
Skillman went on to enjoy a varied and successful career working at Publix, Disney and as a realtor. Though he never had any children, Skillman maintained close lifetime friendships.
He made sure to credit his Christian faith for all his accomplishments. A member of Calvary Chapel Surfside, Skillman was dedicated to the Lord. He participated on their worship team and also in several men’s Bible study groups.
Skillman leaves behind his close friend of sixty years, Toddy McKeown, as well as his special friend, Alice Pinder and her daughters Debra Tyler and Zorida Diaz, and the Melbourne Fadden clan that welcomed Skillman as family.
Brownlie & Maxwell Funeral Home (1010 E. Palmetto Avenue, Melbourne, Florida 32901) will host A Celebration of Life service on Thursday, September 14 at 10 a.m. with a graveside service to follow.
Friends wish to acknowledge with sincere appreciation the caregivers who attended to Skillman during the last months of his life.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, DONATIONS IN SKILLMAN’S NAME CAN BE MADE TO THE FOLLOWING:
Calvary Chapel Surfside, 505 Cinnamon Drive, Satellite Beach, Florida 32937
USA Water Ski & Water Sports Foundation, 6039 Cypress Gardens Boulevard, #481, Winter Haven, Florida 33884
Rollins College Water Ski Team Gifts, PO Box 850001, Dept #9921, Orlando, Florida 32885
John 7:37-38
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
