Famous Skaggs: Albert Chadwell "Chad" Skaggs

"Chad" Skaggs wasn't a person most would consider famous, however, he was a very interesting guy who was a soldier, journalist, teacher, musician and outdoorsman. Any of these careers would have been enough for most, however Chad did all of them.

An excerpt from his obituary is below the fold.

Albert Chadwell "Chad" Skaggs, born June 19, 1929. Chad Skaggs, soldier, journalist, teacher and outdoorsman, passed into immortality on Nov. 27, 2014, due to complications following heart surgery. Chad was born in Bessemer Alabama, to William and Annie Skaggs, and lived in numerous locations throughout his eventful and influential life. As a youth, he grew up during the Great Depression and worked many jobs, including as a printer's devil, which foreshadowed his later life. In 1946, he joined the Army, paratrooper division, where he attained the rank of lieutenant. After the military, he attended college at the University of Alabama and the University of Missouri, attaining a Masters in journalism. He worked for many years for the Associated Press, covering the big stories of a turbulent time, such as the Selma peace marches. He left reporting to become a professor of journalism, which he taught at Georgia State University, Syracuse University, Bethany College, Texas Woman's University, and SUNY Brockport. Over this time he trained many fine journalists, many of whom remained good friends throughout his life. He was an active outdoorsman, having canoed many locations across the continent, and also a well-respected birding enthusiast who had travelled to numerous national and international birding sites. He was also a musician of some renown, with a vast knowledge of folk and gospel music. A skillful raconteur, he delighted many, young and old, with his funny, poignant and instructive stories. He was a well-known voice of experience and humor among copyediting circles. Though of modest means, he was a great philanthropist, giving generously to numerous and diverse charities, including nature advocates and journalism groups. He is survived by two sons and their wives, Mark (Monica) and Christopher (Judy), as well as by two grandsons, Evan and Taylor.

Chad Skaggs was a documented descendant of the Zachariah Skaggs who some think was the father of Old Peter Skaggs. The Skaggs Y-DNA project is missing testers from this important Skaggs family group.  If Skaggs male relatives of Chad are interested in participating in the Skaggs Y-DNA project, please consider signing up for Y-DNA testing at the project link below.  You can test with the Big-Y or several less expensive Y-DNA tests that are available.  Remember, Y-DNA testing is men only.

https://www.familytreedna.com/group-join.aspx?group=Keig&code=W46710

The family line for Chad Skaggs is below:

1 Zachariah Skaggs m. Nancy
     2 Jeremiah Skaggs m. Hannah Lester
          3 John Skaggs m. Cynthia Horton
               4 Jeremiah Skaggs m. Mary Catherine Garrison
                    5 John B Floyd Skaggs m. Eveline Jane Howard
                         6 William Chadwell Skaggs m. Annie Laura Reeves
                              7 Albert Chadwell Skaggs