David A. Skiven, PE, FESD
September 1947–November 16, 2011
Co-Founder, ESD Institute
Vice President, The Engineering Society of Detroit, 2004-2008
Board Member, The Engineering Society of Detroit, 1998–2008
2009 Recipient, Horace H. Rackham Humanitarian Award
Fellow, The Engineering Society of Detroit
2011 Recipient, Harold Slaight Ellington ESD Leadership Award
Trustee, Rackham Engineering Foundation
Member, Board of Infrastructure and the Constructed Environment, National Academy of Sciences
Retired Executive Director of the Worldwide Facilities Group, General Motors Corp.
It is with deep sadness and loss that The Engineering Society of Detroit Institute (ESDI) announces the passing of its co-director, David A. Skiven.
Mr. Skiven, 64, passed away on November 16, 2011 at 6 p.m. after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was surrounded by family and friends at his home in Brighton, Mich.
In addition to serving as ESDI's Co-Director, Mr. Skiven served as ESD's Vice President from 2004 until 2008 and a member of its board from 1998-2008, as well as a trustee of the Rackham Engineering Foundation.
A pillar of Michigan, a visionary and a champion for change, Mr. Skiven dedicated 42 years of his career to the service of General Motors Corporation, serving as executive director of GM's Worldwide Facilities Group. In that role, Skiven was in charge of utilities, capital construction and environmental segments. The result of the single facilities management approach was significant structural cost savings, improved utilization of corporate assets and development of a talented global organization.
For his work at GM, Mr. Skiven was elected to the General Motors Environmental and Energy wall of fame in 2008 as its first recipient.
Following his retirement from General Motors in 2008, Mr. Skiven dedicated the rest of his career to the voluntary service of ESD as the co-founder and co-director of its Institute. In that role, he focused on ways to rebuild Michigan's economy through high-level symposia focused on critical issues, such as energy, water, construction productivity, healthcare, education, and more.
"Every Association and every Board has a person or two that essentially becomes the face or persona of the organization," said Terry J. Woychowski, ESD President and Vice President of Global Quality & Vehicle Launches, General Motors Corp. "Dave Skiven was indeed that persona and embodiment of the spirit of The Engineering Society of Detroit. He was a most valued leader, member and friend of ESD, and he will be greatly missed. His influence will continue to impact our organization for a long time through all of the excellent programs and directions he has helped forge at the ESD."
As a result of his work, the ESD Institute has been able to bring together ideas that represented both unifiers and enablers, building grassroots consensus for new initiatives to solve Michigan's dire problems. For his dedication to ESDI, Mr. Skiven was honored with induction into the ESD College of Fellows and awarded ESD's highest honor, the Horace H. Rackham Humanitarian Award.
"Dave was an engineer’s engineer—always working to find answers instead of fault," Said, Darlene J. Trudell, CAE, ESD Executive Vice President. "His contribution to ESD over decades is an example for all of us. We will miss our colleague, our trusted advisor and our friend. The Fund we have established in his memory will carry on his good work in the years to come."
"Dave put people first," said Christopher J. Webb, J.D., FESD, ESDI Co-Director. "He had in his travels seen all kinds of folks. He saw leaders in name only and he saw greatness in those unrecognized. What drove him was simple. Help others with ideas that can be implemented."
Mr. Skiven earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from General Motors Institute (Kettering) and a Master's of Science degree from Wayne State University. In 2002 he was inducted into Wayne State University College of Engineering Hall of Fame.
He served as a frequent advisor to a number of federal facilities organizations including the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force. He was also a board member of the National Academies in Washington, DC.
Mr. Skiven is survived by Karen, his beloved wife of 42 years; children, Keith (Lisa), Kyle (Quynh); sister, Carol (Bruce) Butske; nephew, Bill (Tuli) Butske with children, Ava & Sonia; sister-in-law, Cheryl (Jim) DeLange; father-in-law, Steve Godra.
A Funeral Service will be held at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 600 E. Main, Brighton, Saturday, November 19, at 3 p.m. Pastor Frank Graves to officiate. Visitation will be held Friday from 4-8 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. until time of service. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are encouraged to the David A. Skiven Leadership Fund, with checks made payable to The Engineering Society of Detroit.
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