The Rev. Robert B. Skinner, retired rector of Emmanuel Church, Webster Groves, MO, died April 29 after a long illness. He was 56.

Fr. Skinner was born in Poughkeepsie, NY. He received the A.B. degree from Transylvania University, the M.Div. from the Episcopal Theological Seminary in Kentucky in 1966, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1966. He became assistant rector of Emmanuel in 1967 and rector in 1972. He retired in 1996 because of poor health. In the Diocese of Missouri, Fr. Skinner served on the diocesan council, the standing committee, and was a trustee of the Diocesan Investment Trust. He is survived by his wife, the Rev. Susan C. Skinner, who succeeded him as rector of Emmanuel, and one son.