Robert J "Skip" Suter

August 20, 1943 - May 29, 2015

Robert J. “Skip” Suter, 71, passed away on May 29, 2015 after an eight year battle with kidney cancer. He was born in Annapolis, Maryland, the son of Robert L. and Dorothy M. Suter. Skip lived in Tallahassee for 33 years, having worked both as a trust officer at Barnett Bank and as a shoe store owner. He loved casino gaming, sports, cars, antiques, and leisure activities, especially fishing. Diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer in 2007, Skip exhibited the physical and emotional strength to fight the disease, defying the predicted five-year life span doctors provided. He persevered during his final years, never complaining about the effects of the prescribed poisons coursing through his blood. His advisors at MD Anderson Cancer Center used aggressive surgeries and cutting edge medicines to keep the cancer at bay and to prolong his life beyond what anyone expected. Both before and after his cancer diagnosis, Skip was quietly compassionate, taking care to help those around him in need. His support and loyalty to his family serves as an example to those he left behind. Skip was predeceased by his wife of 45 years, Pat, along with his best friend, Ron Villella; he rejoins them both roughly a year after their passing. He is survived by: son, Thomas (Tommy) Suter and wife, Amy, and grandsons: Robert, Drew, and Conrad of Tallahassee; son, Robert (Rob) Suter and wife, Sarah, and granddaughter Anabel of Gainesville. Extended family survivors include: brother Lou Suter and sister Mary Bittel. At Skip’s request, there will be no immediate memorial service held. The family will hold a private memorial at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center online.