Stanley “Skip” Pruss passed away on September 5, 2026, after a battle with cancer. He was at home overlooking Lake Michigan with his wife Brigid, children Kalen and Emmet, son-in-law John, and grandchildren Jack and Porter.

Skip was a tireless proponent of the environment and the public interest. His career as a public servant spanned more than 30 years, including as an Assistant Attorney General; Director of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth; and Michigan’s chief energy officer. His work contributed to the protection of millions of acres of wetlands and a legacy of stewardship for the Great Lakes ecosystem. He was a champion of the public trust— the doctrine that certain resources like navigable waters should be preserved in perpetuity for the benefit and enjoyment of the public. After retiring from the State of Michigan, Skip continued his advocacy, including serving as a Senior Advisor and Board Chair for Flow Water Advocates.

Skip was born in Detroit in 1952, growing up above a Polish grocery run by his parents with his two brothers, Dick and Jim. He was a proud graduate of the University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law School and an avid Wolverine football fan.

Skip met his wife Brigid in Lansing. They were married on September 5, 1986, 40 years to the day of his passing. Skip and Brigid raised their family at “Yarrow Farm,” a turn of the century farmhouse in mid-Michigan, where they tended to expansive flower gardens, organic vegetables, horses, and ducks.

Skip and Brigid’s love for Leelanau began in their youth, favoring Cathead Bay for summer vacations. After Skip’s retirement from public service in 2010, they became full-time residents of Northport. The gardens they soon developed have delighted neighbors and passers-by ever since. Skip hiked and maintained trails throughout the peninsula. One of his most cherished routes, his “Woolsey Walk,” traverses from Leelanau State Park to Christmas Cove. He often hiked with family or friends, and always with his beloved dog Murphy.

Skip lived deliberately according to his credo carpe diem. He took great joy in working with younger generations, passing on knowledge and inspiring enthusiasm for clean energy and Great Lakes advocacy. His family requests that any memorial contributions for Skip be made to Flow Water Advocates at flowwateradvocates. org.

Skip was also passionate about golf. He delighted in reunions and tournaments, looking forward each winter to the next year’s “golf trip” and summers spent golfing with his closest friends. He had a special place in his heart for Northport Creek, walking the course from early spring to late autumn.

Skip’s family will hold a Celebration of Life at the Northport Creek Golf Course on October 24th, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. Friends and family are welcome.