Keith SLATER

SLATER, Keith
Dec. 20 1935- Feb. 28, 2016

On February 28th Keith died
peacefully at Guelph General Hospital
with his beloved wife, Rosalind by
his side. He will be sorely missed by
his family of three daughters, Diane
(Robert), Hilary (Ray) and Keirsten
(Stephen); his 8 grandchildren and
their spouses; and his five great-
grandsons.
   Keith was born in Oldham, England
and educated at Manchester
Grammar School and Leeds
University where he earned a Ph.D
in textile engineering. In 1965, he
immigrated to Canada where he
accepted a position as Professor of
Textile Engineering at Guelph
University. His academic career
spanned four decades and on
retirement he was honoured with
Professor Emeritus status. Highlights
of his career include: being highly
sought after as a conference
speaker, his presidency of the Textile
Institute Canadian section for two
terms, being awarded Fellowship in
the Institute of Textile Science, and
made a Fellow of the Textile Institute
in 1971. Keith had visiting
fellowships in Portugal and in Britain
In 1998 and 1999 at the Universidade
do Minho, Portugal and in Britain at
Gonville and Caius College,
Cambridge 1983 to 1984, at which
time he had visiting Professor status
with the Engineering Department
Cambridge University. In 1990 to
1991, he had a second visiting
fellowship at Cambridge University
at Claire Hall and in 1997, he was the
recipient of the Warner Medal, the
world's most prestigious award for
published research in textile science.
   His extracurricular activities included
playing cricket, leading the faculty
and retirees exercise group at the
University of Guelph, and his long
term commitment to his church,
Harcourt United. He enjoyed, writing
(and his works include 300 published
scientific papers, 18 textbooks, 24
plays, 5 novels and numerous short
stories) and theatre. A thirty five year
involvement with Guelph Little
Theatre culminated in 2008 when he
won a best actor award at W.O.D.L
festival and was shortly afterwards
diagnosed with A.L.S. He was
awarded life membership at the
theatre followed by a mayor's award
for community service to Guelph in
the same year. He rose to the
challenge of his disease with
patience and endurance finding joy
and hope in each new day. His final
piece of writing is a book entitled
'The Joys Of A.L.S.' (available on
Amazon.com) which he wrote to
help others to face the challenge of
this devastating disease. For
information on visitation with the
family and Keith's memorial service
visit
www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com