Charles “Skip” Davis, age 93 of Willowbrook, formerly of Plainfield and North Riverside. U.S. Korean War Army Veteran. Dearest son of the late Elizabeth (nee Peterson) Suwanski and stepdad Edward Suwanski, beloved husband of the late Arlene Donna (nee DeTomaso) Davis, loving father of Brad (Maria) Davis, Erin (Stan) Sczepanski, and Kimberly Davis; cherished grandfather of Ben (Lisa Conry) D’Antino, Michael (Carolynn) D’Antino, Seth (Kelsey Black) Sczepanski, Sean (Amelia Arthur) Sczepanski, and Katherine Davis, and proud great grandfather of Sonny Sczepanski. Fond uncle of Terri DeNicolo, Chris (Mina Chen) Keiser, Ken (Kim Hoppe) Keiser, David Keiser, and the late Louis Modesti. Great Uncle to many grand and great grand nieces and nephews.

Skip attended James Otis Elementary School, William H. Wells High School , and the University of Illinois. He proudly served as a Corporal in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and studied at the 5th Army Chemical Warfare School.

Skip was a true survivor and a man of many talents who possessed boundless brilliance. He had many occupations over his long life, including that of an actor, radio host, teacher, theatre lighting consultant, salesman, and designer. Skip was a perpetual student and a voracious reader. He had notebooks filled with his thoughts, theories, calculations, stories, and recipes, and considered the books in his vast collection to be his “other children”. After his family, Skip was most passionate about science, math, history, and art. He often painted or carved historically significant people or scenes. Skip loved explaining complex calculations and discussing history; he will enjoy finally meeting and exchanging theories with his favorite inventor, with whom he felt an affinity, Nicolai Tesla.

Skip was also an active father and a diehard Chicago sports fan. He coached baseball from Little League through Seniors, and served as a Boy Scout leader, artistic commentator, confidant, and a midnight math tutor. He playfully wielded wit and sarcasm with his family, and his sense of humor certainly translated to his children. Skip served as a cinematic couch coach for the Bears and the Cubs, and was thrilled to watch his beloved Cubbies finally secure a World Series win. Wrigley Field was very special to him because, as a boy, Skip would help clean the bleachers in exchange for a ticket to the next day’s game. He also loved to cook, often adapting recipes to include more garlic and onion, wherever possible.

Skip is blessed to have now ascended to the greatest place with the most diverse library. May we all be inspired by his intellect and his insatiable desire for learning, his Irish charm, and his love of people. “Though free to think and act, we are held together, like the stars in the firmament, with ties inseparable. These ties cannot be seen, but we can feel them.” Nikola Tesla.

In lieu of flowers. Memorial donations in honor of Charles would be appreciated to:

Ronald McDonald House