Eric Skuster, 73, formerly of Waverly, passed away in Urbandale, Iowa, on June 14, 2025.
Born on April 4, 1952, in Osage, Eric was the eldest of five boys. His childhood was filled with simple joys like visiting the Jack & Jill grocery store to look at baseball cards on the back of cereal boxes. Even then, Eric had a knack for making memories out of life’s little moments.
His family eventually moved from their farm to Charles City where Eric graduated high school in 1970.
Eric continued his education at Wartburg College. He planned to major in Biology, but an organic chemistry course was too difficult, so he switched to another major. After graduating from Wartburg, he went to Kirkwood for a two-year respiratory therapy program. He spent much of his career as a respiratory therapist.
It was during a nightshift at Allen Hospital where he met his wife. Eric asked Patty out, and they agreed to meet at Pizza Hut except Eric showed up at the wrong location. While Patty waited for Eric – hoping he didn’t stand her up – a server came over and said, “There’s a man on the phone for you.” It was Eric. He drove to the right location and still managed to win her over.
The couple married at St. Peter Church in Denver, IA, on April 25, 1981. In his white tux and tie, Eric watched his grandma argue with Patty’s brother, who was trying to jack up their car on cement blocks at their wedding reception. Thankfully, the newlyweds were able to drive off before things got out of hand.
Speaking of driving – in the winter the following year, Eric’s brown Chevette slid off the blacktop near Sumner, rolling them into a ditch, no seatbelts and all. A passerby stopped and took them to Sumner Hospital. It was Patty’s lab work that revealed they were expecting their first child.
The couple welcomed Christopher on November 16, 1982. Eric was a loyal dad who was incredibly proud of his son. In 2013, however, his favorite role came to fruition which was becoming a grandpa.
Eric is survived by his wife of 44 years, Patricia, of Urbandale; son Christopher (Shelley) and grandchildren Olivia, Kendra, Addie, and Nick, of Windsor Heights; his brothers Dave (Janis) of Stewartville, Minnesota, Paul (Ann) of Charles City, Tim (Denise), and William of Salt Lake City, Utah, as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents.
All obituary information has been taken from the funeral home, newspaper or other online resource.
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