Born in Saskatoon, Skip was a skilled boxer, hockey player and sportsman. A former “Boy-Soldier” with the RCE, he served in Korea as a Sgt in the 1st Bn PPCLI. In 1955 Skip successfully completed his PTI Course at the PT Wing (RCS of I) and became a member of the Army PT Cadre.  He served in Calgary, Germany, Chilliwack, Churchill, RMC and then in 1965 he was promoted to WO1 and became the first RSM of CFSPER. In 1970 he was posted to Esquimalt where he later retired to work with Electrolux, Canada. Eventually he retired again and moved to Edmonton by way of Victoria and Westbank BC.