My Dad

Stuart R. Slater May 13, 1943-June 29, 2011 SALEM - Stuart Raineford Slater, of Salem, passed away on June 29, 2011 at the age of 68 due to complications from a staph infection. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his passing. He was born on May 13, 1943, in Salem, Oregon to Dale and Lyle Slater. He is survived by his sister Karen VanCleave, and brothers Kevin, Marshall, and Alan. Stu was a graduate of North Salem High School, class of 1961. Stu spent all of his years in Salem, where he owned and managed his business, Slater Communications and Electronics. On September 28, 1963, Stu married Cheryl Albada Slater, his wife of almost 48 years. Together they raised four successful children; Greg (Susan), Portland; Kathy (Dan) Moore, Portland; Mark (Claudine), Portland; and Susan Cotter (Seattle). Stu's greatest pride in his life was his family, and he loved the time that he spent with his seven grandchildren; Grace (12), Ella (9), Caroline (6), Christopher (7), Nathan (7), Catie (7), and Will (3). Stu had a mild stroke in 2005 which slowed him down a bit, but he never lost his drive to wake at the crack of dawn, and get going with each new day. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke his words were listened to. Stu will be remembered for his one-liners that are known to his family as 'Stuisms.' These were words of wisdom that his children and their friends would always chuckle about and quote through the years. Stu was a real handyman who loved to fix, build, or tinker in all kinds of projects, with the Country Oldies station playing on the radio in the background. If you would like to make a donation in honor of Stuart's life, the family asks that it be made to www.salemhospitalfoundation.org on behalf of the incredible doctors and nurses in the ICU who cared for him in his last days. A celebration of Stu's life will be held on Saturday, August 13th at the family home in West Salem.