Former Arizona Daily Star arts critic and reporter M. Scot Skinner died at Banner University of Arizona Medical Center late Sunday, three weeks after contracting an antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection.Β
Skinner was 54 years old.Β Β
Skinner had worked at the Star from 1984 to 2011 as a theater and music reporter in the features department. He also covered the police beat for several years during the late 1990s/early 2000s, including the tumultuous post-2001 NCAA championship riots along North Fourth Avenue.Β
"Anyone who ever met Scot has a favorite memory about him. He had a big personality β smart and funny and caring β that drew people in. All of that showed in his writing for the Star," said Star Editor Bobbie Jo Buel.
Skinner grew up in Tucson and graduated from Catalina High School. He attended the UA.
βHe was brilliant and exuberant. He had great language skills, great writing skills," said former Star Managing Editor John Peck, who hired Skinner.Β "He was always looking for things to write about in a really wonderful way."
At the time of his death, Skinner was teaching journalism at Pima Community College and doing public relations freelance work for several Tucson organizations.Β
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 9, at Christ Presbyterian Church, 6565 E. Broadway.
