John Skotedis
(1951 - 2012)

"This is the memorial I set up for John Skotedis. To sign the guest book, click on the "Sign Guest Book" button below. "

"Rest in peace John. Thank you for all of your efforts and care of the rowing community.
"

"John,

Most people’s lives are routine, with a planned, or unplanned but predictable progression of education, jobs, etc. There are only a few times within each life when significant changes in direction happen. And even fewer changes which can be traced to a single person.

Military service was the major factor in my first change – from a small-town, potential gas jockey to a ‘leader’. Life did progress for me after I got home– working at intense jobs which let me hide my newly acquired small piece of ‘crazy veteran’ within dedication to the job – no friends, no outside interests, increasing strain on my marriage, all the common things.

By age 50, around the year 2000, I was playing hermit way too much. My wife had given up pushing me to meet people but she asked me to accompany her to Learn to Row, because she wasn’t sure about what she’d run into at the class. She hated it… I loved it. It gave me a way to be part of a team with little actual interaction - I thought – just look at one person’s back and pull hard! As time went by I became more involved, then much more involved. Today I know people from all over the area in all walks of life. (Still don’t like crowds, though!) I am certainly a little crazy, but it has been greatly alleviated by the interaction with rowers over the last decade.

All this was the result on one man who loved the river enough to infect others with his addiction; who then invited more people; who invited my wife and me… One man who made a significant and very favorable change in my life. One man – you.

Thank you. I wish I could say more.
"

"I am so sorry I did not know John was fighting cancer or that his fight was coming to an end. I wish I could have let him know how much he positively impacted my life and what fond memories I have of him and your family. My four years at Bucknell were definitely shaped by the time I spent on the crew team and with John as my coach. He not only was a great coach but an example to all of us what hard work and commitment leads to – he was an inspirational leader. He really left a lasting impression on me and I would like to think that part of who I am today and how I treat others, how I lead my team at work and how I coach a boys indoor soccer team was influenced greatly by the example John set. He instilled discipline , yet was fun, I have so many great memories of my time on the crew team – early mornings on the Susquehanna, racing, running hills, practices in the fog and rain. I can hear John now. I wish I could have told him this in person – I hope he knows. From deep in my heart, I send my condolences and though I will never fully know the loss you do, I do feel a great loss and know John will be missed by all who had the privilege to know him and to be touched by him. I will never forget John and feel lucky he was part of my life."

"We thought of you with love today,
but that is nothing new.
We thought about you yesterday,
and the day before that, too.
We think of you in silence,
We often say your name,
But all we have is memories
and your picture in a frame.
Your memory is our keepsake,
with which we'll never part.
God has you in his keeping,
We have you in our heart."

"John, Randy and I worked to form Bucknell Crew in 1982.  I remember buying an aluminum john boat and outboard across the river from Lewisburg and carrying it across the road and wading it in through the weeds.  I recall building floating docks on oil drums (my first and only use of my mechanical engineering skills) and eventually floating the docks down the river to Tedd's Landing.  I remember buying old corkscrewed Pococks and driving them on a wobbly trailer from Connecticut or somewhere with Randy and Tad.  Most of all, I remember you and your enthusiastic support of rowing at Bucknell.

Without your energy and enthusiasm, there is no way that Bucknell Crew would ever have gotten off the ground, much less thrive as it has.  I returned to Bucknell at homecoming this year for the first time in more than 20 years.  My son is a freshman in high school, and the stroke on their novice A boat.  I drove my family down to the river at twilight and pointed out your restaurant, and told them the stories.  It was wonderful reliving them standing on the riverbank, and poignant to see my son enthusiastically pursue rowing...even practicing on my old bicycle-wheel erg! 

I wanted you and your family to know what you have meant to me and hundreds of other Bucknell rowers over the decades.  May God bless you."

"If not for John's patience, selflessness, and talents as a coach and leader, the experience of hundreds of rowers would have been impossible. His kindness, humility and good humor will be warmly remembered by all who had to good fortune to know him. He is in our thoughts and prayers. "

"(from a message dated 11/30/12)

Dear John, Denise, Al and Family Loved Ones,

I was so sorry to recently learn of your present situation through Steve Kish. This has no doubt been a long and difficult road, and I just wanted to let you know that I'm praying for you.

John, even though our paths only crossed occasionally (Jimmy King took over as head coach during my time at BU) I will always look back with fondness at your kind and steady leadership of the program. Rowing was one of the best things about my college days and I know that the blessing so many of us enjoyed was in large part built upon the hard work you had invested before hand, so thank you so much.

Thank you as well for your gracious hospitality in hosting our rehearsal dinner at Ted's on the Hill when Sharon and I got married back in 2001. That will always be a shining day in our memories, and along with it you and your dear family.

If you will forgive me for getting just a bit "preachy" here (in all honestly, I am a Presbyterian Minister by vocation!!) I hope and pray that you will draw all strength from looking in faith to our Lord Jesus Christ. He is not only able to see you through the hardest days of this life, but an eternity of joy in the presence of the Father as well.

Please let me share with you the words of one of my favorite hymns, "Come to the Waters" written by a fellow minister in my Presbytery (Dr. James Boice) who was himself dying of liver cancer when he wrote it. It's based upon the words of Revelation 22:17 and I pray it will give comfort to your heart, even as it did to Dr. Boice in a similar circumstance:


Come to the waters, whoever is thirsty;
Drink from the Fountain that never runs dry.
Jesus the Living One, offers you mercy,
Life more abundant in boundless supply.

Come to the River that flows through the city,
Forth from the throne of the Father and Son.
Jesus the Savior says, “Come and drink deeply.”
Drink from the pure, inexhaustible One.

Come to the Fountain without any money;
Buy what is given without any cost.
Jesus, the gracious One, welcomes the weary;
Jesus, the selfless One, died for the lost.

Come to the Well of unmerited favor;
Stretch out your hand; fill your cup to the brim.
Jesus is such a compassionate Savior.
Draw from the grace that flows freely from him.

Come to the Savior, the God of salvation.
God has provided an end to sin’s strife.
Why will you suffer the Law’s condemnation?
Take the free gift of the water of life.


Again, please be assured of my prayers for all of you and if I can be of further help or support in any way please let me know.

Sincerely in Christ with Thankfulness,

John Muhlfeld

BU Lightweight '95

"

"I most assuredly wasn't John’s best student -- I never seemed to be able to get my oar handle off my legs during the recovery, had a tendency to rush the slide, showed up hungover to 5:30AM practices, and as far as I know, am the only person to have ever crabbed himself out of a boat during practice (although, in my defense, it was one of the old wooden Pocock fours that had virtually no foot stretchers and the no. 3 man deliberately slammed the boat over to port out of frustration after a bad practice :-).

But, I had a lot of fun and learned some things about myself over those four years.

One of my fondest memories is when one of the men’s varsity eight was sick and I filled in for a week during practices and the race that followed on Saturday. That week is how I will always remember rowing -- the entire boat moved as one and it was so quiet, so controlled, that you could hear the water rush along the bottom of the shell.

My memories of those days are owed to the work of many people, but probably none more than John Skotedis. Thank you, John.

Robert Powell '90
"

"I sent an email to John before he died, and am so very grateful that he received it in time. I'm sharing it here with the rest of you because it accurately describes my feelings for this man and my gratitude to him for everything he did for me and so many others:

John -

I was passed the news about your battle with cancer today, and while my heart is greatly saddened by the news I found myself thinking back to those days on the river with you and the others, and so many great memories came flooding back. I was a heavyweight on the men's team from 1990 to 1994 - you may also remember Paul Rodgers and Carl Lindquist from my class, and Wells Reinheimer was a year ahead of us. I also rowed with Dave Rhodes, Stephen Kish, Jacques Hagopian, and others. Those were the earliest days of the varsity rowing program, a program which certainly would not have existed then without your help.

I think back on my college career and how it's shaped the man I am today, and I can say definitively that the lessons I learned from rowing - teamwork, hard work, the value of struggle and the joy of seeing work lead to results - these have been the lessons that have made me who I am. And those lessons came from you, John. I'm proud of the life I've made for myself, the life partly shaped by your efforts: I'm married, living in Chicago, and I work as a senior manager in the engineering department at Oracle Corporation.

You were there at 5 am to meet us, to teach us, and to share your love of rowing with us. You treated all of us with the greatest respect, and I like to think you considered all of us to be your friends; I know for certain that we all considered you just that, a friend. And even though I haven't seen or spoken with you in nearly two decades, I hope you won't mind that I still consider you a friend. I remember the party you threw for us at your house when we were graduating, I remember the times you hired us to work at your place in order to raise funds for the program (remember the 'rent-a-rower' program that we started back then?) We shared a lot of laughs, took a lot of road trips to regattas, and I'll always treasure those times. I would not have stuck with rowing had it not been for you, John, and I wouldn't be as disciplined as I am today without the lessons rowing, and you, gave to me.

So thank you, my friend, for the great times, the lessons and the laughs. Thank you for all of your time that you gave to me and the others, and know that it never went unappreciated and will never be forgotten. My thoughts will be with you and your family in these hardest of times. I miss you, John. Godspeed.

All my best,
Shaun"

"Having read the words left by those before me, I feel like sharing a letter I wrote to John trying to express my gratitude to him and what he meant to me:

28 November 2012

Hello, John

When I return to the Buffalo valley nowadays, I realize that I look more forward to seeing the river, the dock, and you and Denise, than campus. Your hill top provides one of the most scenic vistas I have seen; I like the combination of nature and civilization you can see as you span the horizon. A lot of my fondest Bucknell memories during my four years involve rowing and my former Bucknell teammates, not the buildings on campus. Bucknell rowing and the Skotedis family are synonymous to me. I am thankful for the Skotedis family being a great benefactor to Bucknell crew and allowing those memories to happen.

The summer you coached us was my favorite. Thank you for coaching us that summer of 1987. I was 22 years old, and I think that the biggest lesson I learned from you was setting a goal and working hard to move forward and achieve that goal. My memory is that at the beginning of that summer you told us that we were training for the Canadian Henley in early August, and that we needed to row in every regatta we could enter to gain all kinds of experience. So, we struck out on the road every weekend to row in Lowell, Buffalo, Cambridge, Philadelphia, Indianapolis and some other cities I have forgotten. We would pull in behind Tedd’s Landing on the way out of town, and you’d tell us to wait one minute and then return from Tedd’s kitchen with some food and drinks for our trip and send us off. At home and at work when I set a goal, part of me thinks of that goal in terms of training for the Canadian Henley.

Winning our qualifying race and making it to the finals at the Canadian Henley is my favorite competitive accomplishment in rowing. We were excited to call you from a pay phone to let you know that we qualified. I must admit, I think we might have been surprised ourselves, but I feel like you believed in us and prepared us for that moment. After we called from St. Kitts, you drove up to watch us in the finals. Now, having coached and being a parent, I know that you did what any good parent, coach, or teacher does – you put us in the position to live/row up to our potential, to succeed. I look at the remnant of our Kaschper shell that we rowed that summer that now hangs in the foyer of Tedd’s on the Hill and reminisce every time I walk in.

You are, and will be, a large, formative part of my life.

Sincerely

Your Friend, Mark
"

"Dear Skotedis family,

I was at Bucknell from 1998 - 2002 with Coach Kish. I remember seeing John often around the water, the banquet hall, and the restaurants. I now live in New Jersey with my wife, our 2 1/2 year old daughter, and another girl on the way.

As I write this, a few memories are coming back to me. On graduation weekend my parents and I went out to dinner at Tedd's Landing and my parents were bemused when the owner came out to say hello to their son. =) I believe Al joined Steve one year at Stotesbury when I was rowing in high school and Steve wanted to introduce himself. And I also recall doing a rent-a-rower to rake leaves at your house and having some awesome chili as payment afterwards!

I was deeply saddened when I received Steve's email and heard about John's passing. I can only imagine this incredibly difficult time for all of you. Know that all of your are in our prayers for God to grant you strength and peace.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Urban '02"

"I shared many of John's early years going to school to with him. John was quiet, pensive, thoughtful of others, and loyal to his friends. John was "one of the guys" and we had many great times together in high school. He was truly "one of a kind" and our class has lost such a sweet member. May his family find peace in knowing John is perfectly healed in Christ and now walks with our Lord. I am sure he is having quite the reunion with his dad and brother. "

"John, Denise, and Al

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Denise and Al - I want you to know how much I appreciated having John as my coach at Bucknell. We were fortunate that he (and both of you) were willing to share his time with us. Rowing was a huge part of my college years, and John made it a special experience - with memories that I treasure everyday.

Denise, it was nice to see you and John during my trip back to campus for homecoming. I wish that we could have spent more time together in the years since I left Lewisburg.

John has been a significant influence in my life. My years with him have helped to shape me - I'm fortunate, along with countless others, that our paths crossed on the Susquehanna River. John will be missed - but his influences will remain with all of us who were lucky enough to spend time with him.

Thank you, John - for all that you've done and all that you've given."

"As others have done, I share the note I sent to John before he passed. I am very appreciative for having had the opportunity to share these words with John.

John,

I just got off the phone with Denise. I am so appreciative that Steve sent the email updating us on your condition. I had no idea that you were struggling with this illness when I last saw you sometime last year during one of our visits to Skeeters. I am sorry to hear that its been such a difficult struggle. You are such an amazing man who has made such a huge difference in so many people’s lives. I am not sure how one could possibly capture this in words. When I think back on my life a pivotal decision in my life was my choice to attend Bucknell. Everything in my life today...my passions (academically, athletically, etc.), my wife, my friends, my career, everything goes back to Bucknell...it all emerged there and I have yet to divert to something significant in my life that is not somehow linked to Bucknell. The fact that I went to Bucknell is linked to you. You were the head coach the year that I was looking at colleges. It was through conversations with you that I knew that I wanted to continue my rowing career after high school at Bucknell. I don’t think I ever told you that it was you who brought me to the place that has become so beloved for me and my family.

Then came the four years on campus and the years after that that I spent in Lewisburg. You have always been an inspiration for how to live one’s life with love, care, and dedication. As a father, mentoring Alex and having him by your side as a child and then as an adult. As a husband, loving Denise and making time to be together (fond memories of seeing you both on the pontoon boat enjoying the river). As a coach, dedicated to Bucknell crew and the years of rowers that followed after you coached the team yet stayed connected with them, got to know them, and helped make their dreams a reality. As a rower, getting out on the river early mornings or evenings inspiring all of us to embrace rowing as a life-long part of our lives. Through it all you have been an inspiration.

I can’t tell you how much I have loved the last several years of driving to Bucknell for games and events and stopping to see you and Alexander at Skeeters. I think that that restaurant captures so much about you and when I go there its not only to eat amazing food but to experience a bit of John Skotedis. I’ve always felt I have a close friend to visit and catch up with when I go to Lewisburg. Its funny...for so many years I would each day look for your white van because I would hope to have the opportunity to run into you or I would make a point to visit you wherever the white van was.

I love you very much. Since 1991 (over 20 years) you have been a very important part of my life in very significant and in very subtle ways. In this moment I am chuckling thinking back to the memories of you barbecuing with my family the meat my father flew in from Miami at our rehearsal dinner on the hill. So many people in my family annually recall that evening...it was a hot but magical evening on the hill.

In a few minutes I will be on my way to Bucknell to see the basketball game...around 6:30 know that Mati and I will be passing the hill and waving to you.

John, I truly care about you deeply...I can’t say that enough! You have been a friend, mentor, and role model and for that I thank you! You have driven generations of rowers (those you’ve coached and those you’ve supported on the side) to mature into the men and women they are today. Stay strong! We are all by your side every step of the way!

‘ray Bucknell

Victor
"

"Dear John,

I just received an email from Steve Kish regarding your health. It is such terrible news. I had no idea.

I couldn't have started the program without you and your constant help and support. Because of you and your tireless assistance, thousands of lives have been changed positively.

Personally, ever since we've met, you've been so important in my life. Even though we haven't connected for some time, I consider you a good friend. From the beginning of our time together for almost 30 years, you've been a rock in my life. You befriended this 20 year old kid (from Los Angeles, no less), and gave so much of your time and legwork and your family's assistance. We worked together to create such an amazing activity that has benefitted so many. Your friendship, trust, acceptance and amazing support has infused in my being and has helped me greatly to be the person that I am. I can't thank you enough.

Kasia and I have two children, Robert, who is eight and Ula, who is 6. They are really fun and I am sure you would have loved meeting them.

I love you John. Well, you will always be a part of me."

"Dear Skotedis family,

I started this email when I heard that John was sick, and unfortunately didn’t send it until today.

Thank you so much for sharing the news to the Bucknell Crew community so that we had a chance to get back in touch. I am deeply sorry for your loss.

Receiving your email put me in mind of a few stories from long ago:

The time that John and I went to U.S. Nationals – he was competing, I came along for the ride. It was summer, and I was home at my parent’s house in Cleveland. John was coming through on the way to Indianapolis, and so to make it easier for him to pick me up I spent the night with a friend, who was attending the University of Akron and so lived near the highway through Ohio. Anyhow, John for some reason wanted to come through to pick me up really early in the morning, like at 4am (not sure when he started out from PA – but it certainly was early!) All I had given him was an address (back in the days before GPS), and it wasn’t the totally best neighborhood. For some reason, also, I seem to remember that we didn’t leave any lights on in the house to guide him. Also, it was back before cell phones, so basically we had nothing to communicate with. So…I didn’t sleep well with his impending arrival, and at about 4am I heard a stealthy tread on the stair, and a whispered, very tentative, “Scott?” So all’s well that ends well – we had a fun time in Indy – he rowed his race, and I somehow found my way into a Vesper boat and so got to race in Nationals for the first time as well. It was great so spend a good, long road trip with such a thoughtful guy.

Also, at Nationals we saw John Creighton, who until recently had been coach of the Bucknell Crew before being transferred out of the area. He grabbed me and told me he needed a 4th to go out in a 4+ for a row. I said fine, and off we went. It turned out that we were going out with me (6’2”), John Creighton (6’9”), Dave Krumpvich (who knows, 6’9”?) and Bob Espeth (6’8 maybe?). Who didn’t fit! All I’d only ever rowed in was 8s at Bucknell, so needless to say I was in a bit over my head. Anyhow, out we went, and I remember hearing grumbling in the boat – I think I was throwing the set off – and then we took the stroke rate up to something I’d never done before – so I was really flailing. It was quite the experience – that’s for sure! Anyhow, I came off the water feeling a bit like a failure that I hadn’t been able to keep up with the Olympians in the boat, but a quick, calming word and smile from John put me to rights again.

The last time I saw John was at the 15th reunion of the founding of the Crew, a bunch (12 or more years ago?) As always it was great to see everybody and to be back at Bucknell, and at that event we dedicated a boat to John in recognition of his leadership and contribution to the Crew. I wanted to say something to mark the occasion, but was feeling too emotional and remained silent. Why did I feel like that? I think because I recognized the significance of the Bucknell Crew experience for me, and in that moment also the significance of his involvement in the Crew.

John, you meant a lot to the Bucknell Crew over the years, and you certainly meant a lot to me as Captain in the first year you joined us as coach, and in general as a friend who I felt like I got to know in our trip to Indy and in that year when you started as coach. Your modest, gentle demeanor, and your unending loyalty and hard work really helped the program in a time when it needed support, and with your guidance it survived to become the great program that it is today. I’m sorry that we lost touch over the years, but I want you to know that I value and respect the relationship we had and the time we shared together, and appreciate the dedication you showed to the program and to the rowers. Please know that I am praying for comfort for you and your family now and in the future.

With love and affection,

Scott Renner"

"I don't know where to start, your impact on me and so many others is hard to put to words. In so many ways you have led and mentored so many of us. Selfless in every way, leading by serving, what a model to follow! It is the way you lived your life that made such an impact. Not only with words but in action as a husband, father, business owner, coach, community member and friend. You had a way to engage people around you in whatever arena you were in, always making whatever special was going on about the other guy, never for selfish motive. Yet your leadership was never in question, to coin a phrase from an old EF Hutton ad, when you spoke, people listened. You are forever loved, and will never be forgotten. Viva Launchman!"

"Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Steve, Denise, Maure and Jonathan Adams"

"Dear John,
I have just returned from your service in Lewisburg. Although it was difficult to say goodbye to you, I was able to reconnect with many of our old friends whose lives have been touched and influenced by you as much as mine. You introduced me to the sport of rowing. Rowing became my vehicle for self exploration. With your guidance, I learned about self discipline, commitment, goal setting and competition. I also learned about starvation and how to run in 100 degree heat covered with a plastic trash bag. But that's a different story. Through rowing, I found success and with it, self confidence. You taught me how to row at Bucknell, but you became my coach for life. I will never forget your selflessness, support, wisdom, strength and humor. You live on in my heart. Thank you.
Dave Borchers
"

"Dear Skotedis Family,

I am so very thankful to have and as well as continue working for an amazing family that pursued high hopes and dreams. I am proud to have helped in holding up John's dream as an employee at Skeeters. It is a shame that John had to pass away from the world and leave us, but we all will never forget the mark he has left on our hearts. My last mark that he left on my heart was the last moment I had with him. John just walked into Skeeters and went directly over to the windows. Right before he came in, I noticed the two eagles were outside flying so right away I pointed them out to John at the window. His face lit up with a smile when he saw the eagles flying by. He said, "I love them! They are just so neat." Seeing his face light up brought me great joy considering the heaviness of his cancer starting to overtake him more and more as each day passed. It hurts me to say that this moment was the last that I had of John, but it was my favorite memory that I have of him.

Thank you so much Skotedis Family for everything you do for us all! And thank you John for all the great memories and the wonderful marks you have left on the world!

My sympathy and prayers go out to the loved ones of John <3

-Ranee"

"I have started writing this note numerous times. Then I am at a loss for words. Then I am angry and just don't understand. So this is what I know. John was a part of my life for over 30 years. Loving Husband to my Sister. Father to my Nephew and SO MANY others. He was SO patient and congenial. Always had a positive attitude and a laugh that I will never forget. You can be so proud of the influence you have had on your family and your community. Your legacy will live on. I will miss you my friend."

"You have been giving and supportive to so many, including myself. Your example has been one that I will never be able to live up to, but I am going to give it my best shot. Thank you for your endless encouragement and advice. You always knew how to make me feel proud of my work. I will always consider you one of the most important people in my life, and I will never forget the lessons you taught me."