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Ronald Sladek Obituary
Dr. Ronald John Sladek, 85, of Greensboro, passed away Friday, August 17, 2012.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at St. Pius X Catholic Church with Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio officiating. Committal services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, August 24 at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois under the direction of Blake Lamb Funeral Home, Oak Lawn, Illinois.
Professor Sladek was born September 19, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of James Joseph and Rose Vachulka Sladek. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served during World War II. In 1947, Mr. Sladek earned a PhB from the University of Chicago, a BS in 1949, a MS in 1950 and a PhD in 1954.
He started his career as a research physicist for Westinghouse Research Labs in Pittsburgh, PA where he worked from 1953 until 1961. He was a Professor of Physics at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana for 32 years (Associate Prof. 1961 to 1966, Full Prof. 1966-1992). He was acting head of the Purdue Physics Department from 1969 to 1971 and Associate Dean of Science from 1974 to 1987. He worked on sabbaticals in California at N. Am. Rockwell Corporation in Thousand Oaks and Xerox Research Center in Palo Alto in 1967 and 1976-77, respectively. He became Professor Emeritus in 1992. Dr. Sladek's research is published in over 100 peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Sladek is a fellow of the American Physical Society and is listed in Who's Who in America and in the World.
Dr. Sladek enjoyed hiking and camping. He was an avid reader and a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Owen C. Sladek.
Dr. Sladek is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jeanne McFadden Sladek, their children; Linda Sladek and husband, Geoffrey Hiller of Portland, Oregon, James Sladek and wife, Marjorie of Granite Bay, CA, Dr. Frances Sladek and husband, Tom de la Cal of Riverside, CA, Dr. Stephen Sladek and wife, Gail of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Dr. Rosemarie Sladek-Lawson and husband, Dr. Daryl Lawson of Greensboro, NC, Edward Sladek and wife, Marisa of Austin, TX, and brother, Norbert Sladek of Ridgefield, CT, and 14 grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Food for the Hungry 1224 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85034-1102; The Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society, PO Box 13982, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709: or The Nature Conservancy, 4245 North Fairfax Dr., Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203-1606.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Monday at Hanes-Lineberry Funeral Home N. Elm St. Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sharon Reich
August 22, 2012
Francey, Steve, Jeanne, and the entire Sladek family -- I just heard the news and I'm just reeling. Brilliant, gentle, generous, soft spoken but articulate, I will always remember your dad/husband. He was a special man who touched everyone around him – even all of us kids constantly traipsing in and out of 311 Lindberg. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Don Rimai
August 22, 2012
Jeanne and family,
I vividly remember first meeting Ron at an APS conference. He had a poster a few boards from mine. We got to talking and I wound up getting an offer to work for him at Purdue. I remember his housing Nancy and me as we looked for an apartment when moving into Lafayette. His warmth, caring, and brilliance made him the exceptional human being that he was. Some of the best years of my life were the two years I spent working with him. I will miss him.
--Don Rimai
Kim Murphy (and Family)
August 21, 2012
Dear Ed (and Marisa),
Sending thoughts and prayers to you and your entire family during this time. Your dad was an amazing man. I'm sure he will be missed by many. Love and hugs, Kim
Julie Sladek
August 21, 2012
Grandpa I will miss your thought-provoking questions and your wonderful sense of humor. Your practicality and logical mind.
Grandpa you were a great role model and have left a beautiful legacy through your family. I am so grateful you took my Dad and his brothers and sisters camping, because this tradition has been passed down to my generation. Grandpa I know you are in a better place now and I will never forget you.
Love always,
Julie Sladek
Love always
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Geoffrey Hiller
August 21, 2012
Dear Jeanne and Family,
From the very first time I met Ron he welcomed me into the Sladek family. So many fond memories come to mind. His sharp intellect and sense of wonder never ceased to amaze me. That distinct youthful voice and curiosity remained long after he retired. Linda and her siblings are blessed to have such a Father. My condolences for your loss but at the same time know that you are cherishing the many gifts that he has bestowed on you. With Love
Amy Patrick
August 20, 2012
Dear Rose...thinking about you and your whole family during this difficult time. Please let me know if I can help with the kids or anything. Keeping your family in our prayers.
Joe Sladek
August 20, 2012
Ronald J. Sladek, Super Hero of the Greatest Generation and a role model for future generations
Heroes typically are warriors, sport figures or entertainers. For the East Coast Sladek's, Uncle Ron was a Super Hero of the Greatest Generation and a role model for future generations for the following 10 reasons:
1.) Influenced by the Great Depression, Uncle Ron never lost sight of what was really important for a truly successful life.
2.) Proudly served his country in uniform during its darkest time and hour of need.
3.) Believed in the strength and importance of marriage.
4.) Believed in God and the teachings of the Church.
5.) Provided for and helped Aunt Jeanne raise 6 personally and professionally successful offspring.
6.) Through hard work and dedication had an extraordinary professional career.
7.) Inspired all he met to have a lifelong love of learning and an appreciation of mother nature.
8.) Charmed all he met with his folksy, down to earth Midwestern style including his love of laughter and unique laugh.
9.) Was much more than a just brother to both Owen and Norb, he was a mentor.
10.) Set the bar high for future generations to emulate (see 1. through 9.)
RIP Uncle Ron knowing that you are loved, admired, respected and that you live on as a Super Hero of the Greatest Generation and a role model for future generations.
Love.
The East Coast Sladek's
August 20, 2012
Dear Francey, Our thoughts are with you on this sad moment. Your father was kind and exemplary. You admired him for his academic accomplishments, and saw him as a beacon to guide you in your own successful career. Now is the time to cherish all the wonderful moments you and your family shared with him. Your father's passing is an irreplaceable loss; but be certain that these wonderful memories will remain with you and give you comfort for the rest of your life.
On behalf of the de la Cal family, we send you and your family our most heartfelt condolences. Love and hugs, Alex and Denise
August 20, 2012
I am very sorry to hear about your loss. Your dad was alway very kind and charmingly quirky.
Bernard Chao (Denver, CO)
August 20, 2012
To the Sladek family, My name is Tim Batta I lived next door to you at 315 Lindberg Ave. in West Lafayette, In when your family first moved in. I was saddned to here of your lose , You have a wonderful family and I enjoyed having you as neighbors. Best of luck in the years to come.
Tim Batta (West Lafayette, In.)
Jill, Mitch, Katie and Jacob Ruffman
August 20, 2012
What a wonderful life and family. We are so very sorry for you loss.
Julie Sievers
August 20, 2012
Rose and family- My thoughts and prayers are with you all during your time of loss.
Ron Hullinger & Family
August 20, 2012
Steve, Gail, and the Family Sladek,
We are thinking of you and remembering your Father with fondness. I always found him brimming with enthusiasm, wisdom, and grace. We are fortunate to have known him.
Curtis & Cheryl Harding
August 20, 2012
You're in our prayers every step of the way.
Abbie & Bob Benkeser
August 20, 2012
Jeanne our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time. May the Good Lord watch over all of you.
Tom & Amy Sladek
August 20, 2012
Dear Aunt Jeanne - we're sending our thoughts and prayers to you and your entire family on the passing of Uncle Ron. We're very grateful that Scarlett and Eva were able to meet their Great Uncle last spring, and will remember him as a lovely and gentle soul, much in the same way their grandfather remembers his dear brother.
Rick Rezek
August 20, 2012
Fran, Steve, and Family:
Your Dad had a vigor and a spirit that I will never forget. Whether he was presiding over the family table off the kitchen in West Lafayette or managing our Scout Explorer Post on our 1975 trip to Saranac Lake in upstate New York. He and your Mom always engaged us kids in thoughtful discussions even when we were-- well-- kids. We were always treated as adults and we learned to support our case with reasoning. Many happy times at 311 Lindberg Road in West Lafayette. We are thinking of Dr. Sladek today. Please accept our sympathies on his passing.
Mark Grimley
August 20, 2012
My sincere condolences to the Sladek family at this sad time.
Justine, Joao & Daniel
August 20, 2012
I had the privilege of meeting Ron when he and Jeanne visited Portugal and will always have fond memories of our time together. On behalf of my family and I, I'm sending our deepest condolences to Jeanne, Francey, Linda, Eve and the rest of the Sladek family.
Rajinder and Linda Khosla
August 19, 2012
Jeanne and the entire Sladek family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We cherish the wonderful memory of a beautiful individual, a fantastic teacher and a great friend. Our deepest condolences to Jeanne and the family.
Michael and Rosemarie Pollak
August 19, 2012
We were much saddened by the departure of a long time dear friend and admired colleague, Ron Sladek, but we rejoice in having known this wonderful person; the pleasant memories of the times we were fortunate to be with him, socially or professionally, remain with us.
Our sympathy is with the grieving family and especially with Jeanne for whom Ron's departure surely must be the hardest.
Nick Rawlings
August 19, 2012
During the almost 28 years I knew Ron, he always treated his niece, my wife, Joan Sawitke Rawlings, as his fourth daughter. I, then, became another son-in-law for whom he set a high standard. In addition to his endless love, he shared his curiosity for all things scientific, challenging and helping us to appreciate this world as much as he. Our fond memories of him will last our lifetimes.
John Pierce
August 19, 2012
Steve and the entire Sladek family - our thoughts and prayers are with you. Your dad always greeted us with the most pleasant of smiles; he had a cherished demeanor. I'm happy to say he will be a role model for generations to follow, as even my 15-yr-old daughter is angling towards studies in physics and he has blazed a trail for her to follow. Blessings, John, Roxana, Amanda and Natalie Pierce
Sherri,Schae and Shana Russell
August 19, 2012
Dr Sladek-Lawson and family,
Please accept our deepest condolences. May your memories bring comfort.
Margaret Dwiggins
August 18, 2012
Condolences to the Sladek family on the passing of a wonderful father, husband and friend. We Pierces all cherish the long-standing friendship between our families. Dr. Sladek accomplished so much in his life. You have so much to be proud of in him, and I know you will miss him.
Fondly,
Margaret Pierce Dwiggins
Lauren Hicks Powell
August 18, 2012
Our thoughts are with your family during this time.
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