Skooter Booth Obituary

Skooter Booth attended University High School in Los Angeles, CA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Skooter Booth.

Graduation Year	Class of 1961
Date of Passing	Feb 22, 2018
About	Richard Parley Booth, Jr. “Skooter” was born on July 1, 1944 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to proud parents Richard and Jeanne Booth. Soon after his birth, the family moved home to Brentwood, California where he was raised with his sister Jenni and brother Barry. He attended Brentwood Elementary, Paul Revere Junior High School and University High School. The family enjoyed spending summers at the beach on Balboa Island and weekends on their father’s boat in Catalina. Skooter loved fishing, hanging out with his two best friends, Stowe and Johnny, and playing sports, especially football and golf. He and his father won the prestigious Los Angeles Country Club Father/Son Golf Tournament in 1960. Skooter attended the University of Southern California and was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He graduated from USC in 1968 and married his first wife, Brenda Borchard, the following year. Skooter and Brenda welcomed daughter Laura in 1970 and Amy in 1972. Sadly, they lost Brenda to cancer in 1978. Knowing early on that he wanted to be an attorney, Skooter worked as an Internal Revenue Service agent while attending law school at night. He graduated from Loyola Law School in 1974, joining the prominent L.A. law firm of Kirtland and Packard where he specialized in defending physicians and other professionals. In 1976, at the age of 32, he successfully argued before the California Supreme Court the landmark case that established the one-year statute of limitations applicable to medical malpractice actions. A chance encounter at a Los Angeles function in 1979 led to a whirlwind romance between Skooter and Jane, and the two wed in 1980. They moved to Newport Beach and in 1986 added to their family with the birth of Brian, and five years later, Brandon. This 6th-generation California family loved living life on Lido Isle; Jane and Skooter could be seen walking the island daily. Summers were often spent escaping to Hawaii as a family to the beautiful Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Skooter’s childhood love of cars continued on throughout his life. He used his incredible negotiation skills to help friends, family and colleagues successfully lease or purchase the cars of their dreams. In 2004, Skooter became “Papa” to granddaughter Ella, followed by Oliver, Sienna, Luke, Blake, and another baby on the way. His grandchildren loved playing miniature golf on Papa’s custom 2-putt course in the back patio. Perhaps Skooter’s greatest passion was his love of practicing law and defending physicians in medical malpractice cases. Upon moving to Orange County, he joined Richard Madory’s law firm and was made partner in 1984. The firm came to be known as Madory, Booth, Zell and Pleiss. He was elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in 1983, becoming its Orange County President in 1990. In 1992, he began what turned out to be a 10-year solo practice specializing in plaintiff’s cases, and in 2003, he returned to defense work joining Schmid and Voiles, where he remained until his retirement in 2017 due to illness. His untimely retirement was a great loss, because to him it was never “work”, but, instead, a stimulating endeavor that fed his soul. In 2014, Skooter was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, which eventually metastasized to his brain for which he underwent three years of surgeries and treatment. Skooter fought his cancer with such strength, dignity and determination. He was a true inspiration to all around him. Skooter will always be remembered for his kindness and generosity to everyone, from the man working the shoe shine stand at the courthouse to opposing counsel. He found humor in most every situation and his quick wit was legendary. Skooter was so proud of his children and all of their personal and professional accomplishments. He died a happy man. The entire Booth family wishes to thank the following who played a major role in Skooter’s care: Dr. John Storch, Dr. Louis Vandermolen, Dr. Christopher Duma, Dr. Brian Kim, Dr. David Millett, Dr. Vincent Nguyen, Nilo and Salus Hospice. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Skooter’s name to Hoag Neurosciences Institute or Keck-Norris Cancer Center.