Hugh Skidmore

Many are familiar with the busy, yet quaint, white building on Fee Street; but few know the whole story behind the man who owns and works out of the building. Hugh Skidmore is a long time resident of Berea. However, Skidmore has done more than just reside here. He is a well-established professional, a well-known representative of many clubs and organizations, and an active citizen in the life of Berea.

Hugh Skidmore - Picture Courtesy of Brunner Studio

Skidmore moved to Berea thirty-four years ago. He was previously located in Louisville where he attended college and later practiced dentistry for a year. Yet, he found himself longing for small town life. He soon learned of opportunities for his practice in Berea. Since then, he has settled in Berea and raised a family of five children here. Four of which still live in Berea, and the other in Lexington. Skidmore also has four grandchildren that he delights in seeing weekly. Anyone who has seen the inside of Skidmore’s dental office has had the pleasure to see the amazing underwater photography on the walls. Skidmore is an avid scuba diver, who travels to Florida about once a month to exercise his skills. He is a certified dive master and a qualified cave diver. He prefers diving the freshwater lakes in northern Florida, but also tries to dive in the salty seas at least once a year.

After college Skidmore went into the Navy. He served as a Dental officer and was on active duty for 8 months during Desert Storm, from 1990 till 1991. He later transferred to the Army, and upon retirement served 23 years in the service. One the opportunities he is proudest of, is his duty as Commander of the Army Reserve at Fort Knox from 1991 until 1993.

In Berea, he has served many positions. He is an active member and speaker for the Berea Camp of Gideon’s. He is a past president for the Lions Club. Skidmore is an active member in his church, Berea Baptist. He has served on the medical staff at Berea Hospital for 34 years, and (his most recent position) is serving on the Board for the New Berea Health Ministry. While he does stay busy, Skidmore says he enjoys all the work he does and believes in each cause.

When he began looking for a smaller town to work in I’m not sure he could have guessed that thirty-four years later he would still be doing what he loves and have such a large family to surround him. But, he knew that he enjoyed Berea for many reasons. He enjoys the College feel and academic edge that Berea has, he enjoys the location on I-75, he enjoys the programs and events that are available for the citizens, and he loves the people of the town. So, it’s no wonder that he has thrived in Berea the way he has.

Written by Hannah Billings

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