Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SBT – July 9, 2000

Richard C. Slater

Aug. 11, 1921 - July 8, 2000

Richard C. Slater, 78, of Union Pier, Mich., died at 2:27 a.m. (CST) on Saturday, July 8, in Porter Memorial Hospital, Valparaiso, Ind.

There will be a visitation from 3 to 8 p.m. on Monday in the Kerley & Starks-Smith Funeral Home, New Buffalo, Mich. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 11, in the funeral home, with burial at Pine Grove Cemetery. Robert Heit will officiate.

Mr. Slater was born in New Buffalo on Aug. 11, 1921, to Sam and Harriet (Ebert) Slater, who preceded him in death.

On June 16, 1962, in Lafayette, Ind., he married Marjorie Klinker, who resides in Union Pier, Mich. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie Slater of Union Pier; and by his sister, Donna Slater of Michigan City, Ind.

Mr. Slater was a New Buffalo High School graduate in 1939. He received his bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University and his master's degree from the University of Michigan. He served his country as a United States Marine, being discharged in 1946 as a corporal.

In 1947 he began his employment with the New Buffalo School System, starting as a science and physical education teacher, coaching the basketball and baseball teams for several years, was a principal of the high school for approximately four years, and retired in 1983 after 36 years of service. He was honored at that time by the New Buffalo School Board naming the sports complex at New Buffalo area schools the Slater Athletic Field & Slater Gymnasium.

Mr. Slater was active in playing basketball and baseball while at Western Michigan University, played baseball and softball in the summer leagues in New Buffalo, and for one summer was a member of the House of David traveling baseball team. He was an avid golfer, having taught himself while caddying at the Chikaming Country Club as a young man, and later joined the country club as a member of many years.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Michigan Heart Association or to the Berrien County Cancer Service.