Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Nyles Richard Eskritt MD, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on October 10, 2024, in Mequon, Wisconsin.
He was born on September 30, 1940, at his family home in Milan, Wisconsin, and lived a life full of purpose, service, and joy. Nyles graduated from PJ Jacob High School in 1958 before pursuing a BS degree in Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He then attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School, earning his medical degree in 1966. Shortly thereafter, Nyles served his country in the US Air Force as a Flight Surgeon during the Vietnam War, a role he embraced with dedication and courage.
Upon finishing military service, Nyles completed his residency in Dermatology at the University of Minnesota. He then began a distinguished career that spanned over 42 years, working first at the Rice Clinic and later establishing private practice Plaza Dermatology in Stevens Point, where he served patients until the age of 74. A pioneer in his field, Nyles was known for his innovative use of an Argon Laser to treat diseases of the skin, one of only two in the United States at the time, made possible through a grant from the UWSP Foundation. Nyles also proudly served as a physician for the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King.
Nyles was a loving husband to his wife of 60 years, Genevieve Eva Green, whom he met at UWSP and married in 1964. He was a devoted father to his children, Carmel Eskritt, Mark Eskritt (Chris), and Allison Nass (Tim), and a proud grandfather to Nyles Brown (Jess), Caitlin Brown, Louis Nass, Olivia Nass, Timothy Nass, Grace Nass, and Matthew Eskritt. He was also a valued great-grandfather to Arbor, Waylon, Cameron, and Boone. Nyles was a loving Papa to his beloved dog Benny.
Nyles is survived by his siblings, Ellis (Bud) Eskritt (Helen), Harry Eskritt (Mary Jo), Myrna Holdridge (John), and Judy Leitzke (Tom). Nyles cherished his family and the Eskritt/Merrill Thanksgiving celebrations. He was very proud of the UWSP and Augustana College scholarships established by his family to honor their mother and father. Preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Lenice Eskritt, his stepmother Catherine McTigue Eskritt and two brothers, David Eskritt and James Eskritt.
Outside of his professional life, Nyles enjoyed a variety of hobbies, including tennis, sailing, windsurfing, snow skiing, curling, biking and camping. He loved traveling the world and spent many cherished weeks a year at The Surf Club of Marco Island. He looked forward to fishing trips with his friends and family. He enjoyed countless adventures all over the United States in the family camper. Nyles had a special place in his heart for the Chain O’Lakes in Waupaca, where he grew up spending his summers at Camp Cleghorn and later lived for 25 years on Round Lake. Nyles cherished his S-14 sailboat, appropriately named SPF-15 and was a member of the Chain O’Lakes Sailing Club. He enjoyed cheering for the Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers. He was a passionate supporter of the Central Wisconsin Symphony and a fan of Roy Orbison. He frequently enjoyed singing his favorite song, “You are My Sunshine”.
Nyles was actively involved in his community, a member of the Rotary Club, Frame Memorial United Presbyterian Church in Stevens Point and Parfreyville United Methodist Church in Waupaca. He was known for his warmth, humor, and memorable sayings, frequently asking those around him “Got your sunscreen on?” and to approach life with positivity and enthusiasm stating there was always time for “One more load”.
A celebration of Nyles’s life will be held next summer in Waupaca with a burial at the Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in King. He will be profoundly missed by all who knew him, but his legacy of healing, generosity, and love will continue to inspire others.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Newcastle Place, the Highlands, Horizon Hospice and Avi Bernstein MD for the outstanding and compassionate care provided. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the UW-Stevens Point Foundation or a charity of your choice.
