David A. Skeel, M.D. Colonel, USAF (Ret.)'s Obituary
David A. Skeel, M.D., Colonel, United States Air Force (Retired), a urologist and flight surgeon whose military medical career spanned more than three decades, died July 14, 2026, in Gainesville, Florida. He was 91.
Born February 6, 1935, in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in the Washington, D.C. area, he earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Dickinson College in 1957 and his medical degree from Thomas Jefferson Medical College in 1961, entering the Air Force as a commissioned officer that same year. He interned at Walter Reed Army Hospital, became a Rated Flight Surgeon in 1965, and completed his urology residency at the University of Michigan.
His career took him from Clark Air Base in the Philippines — where he was chief of urology and commanded the 656th Tactical Hospital, and led a combat casualty surgical team in Thailand — to Travis Air Force Base, the Medical College of Georgia, private practice in Marietta, and command of the hospital at Dobbins Air Force Base. He later served as chief of urology in Wiesbaden, Germany; at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska; and at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, where he was named Air Combat Command Consultant for Urology.
Board certified in urology in 1973, he earned the Chief Flight Surgeon rating in 1979 and was promoted to colonel in 1978. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal with bronze star device.
Dr. Skeel spent his last eleven years at Oak Hammock in Gainesville, Florida, where the curiosity that carried him through medicine found new outlets. He attended lectures at the University of Florida, never tiring of learning something new; he read widely and turned up faithfully for his book club; he traveled; and he sang in the Oak Hammock choir.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Elaine, and his children, Judy Skeel (Steve), David Skeel, Jr. (Sharon), Michael Skeel (Claire), Natalie Shaw (Steve), and Kim Anchors (JR).
What’s your fondest memory of David?
What’s a lesson you learned from David?
Share a story where David's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with David you’ll never forget.
How did David make you smile?