John Charles Slattery

1932 - 2023

John Charles Slattery

July 20, 1932 - May 30, 2023

John Charles Slattery of St. Louis, MO; Madison, WI; Wilmette, IL; and Bryan/College Station, TX, died May 30, 2023 leaving behind his cherished wife of 67 years, Beatrice (Sachs) Slattery. Though his father was one of seven children, John was the beloved only grandchild, who himself went on to have five children, twelve grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and countless students and colleagues from the Aerospace and Chemical Engineering departments at Texas A&M and Northwestern Universities.

 

John was a man of quiet intelligence who listened more than he talked though when he talked, you would have to listen closely to his slow, measured, quiet words. He didn't swear and when he did, his children knew that they had really crossed the line. He adored his grandchildren, doing things just to make them laugh whether it was barking like a dog at restaurants or eating shrimp whole-tails and all. He had advice for a long and happy marriage that he freely doled out to his progeny: "When your mother and I start to disagree, I remind myself that she means only the best and that she is very intelligent. I try very hard to understand her point of view and I often wind up thinking she is correct. I never lose my temper with her and always keep talking with her."

 

John was a lifelong runner, active tennis player, and remained professionally curious throughout his life pivoting from investigating cleaner ways to drill oil to preventing wear and tear on helicopter rotors to how things fracture-topics that were sure to entertain, bore, and sometimes scare the people around him when he talked about the fracturing of airplanes, as they arrived to the house from the airport. His dedication to his work continues to live on through the chair he and his wife endowed to the Texas A&M Aerospace department.

 

John loved strong women, fast cars, manual transmissions, fast bikes, fast running, and slow writing. He wrote several books, which only one of children might ever read, though loved a good story. He was an avid reader, even when he could no longer read printed books, and when he was actively dying, it was the stories that his wife, children, and grandchildren shared around him that engaged him and got him to smile and respond even though it was hard for him to communicate. This included the performance of a rap written by his granddaughter, Brittany Nagy, for one of his previous birthdays:

 

There once was a man named John C. Slattery,

Who was full of advice and plenty of flattery.

He loved airplanes and cheese and was very well read,

Fell in love with a woman who smashed a can on her head.

We all grew up with lectures on succeeding

Pearls of wisdom like "It's many boyfriends you are needing."

Find a job you love that that doesn't feel like one

You should look forward to your day and not wish it to be done."

He's always made silly faces, like a dog he barks 'woof,'

With ease he makes you laugh because he's a total goof!

For movies: no dramas, just comedies please!

Some babies cry at the gust of his sneeze!

"You look taller! You eat tomatoes? That means you've matured!!"

He says with joy, looking relieved, reassured.

He touts lots of school and Vitamin C,

Being "EXCELLENT," and "NEVER BETTER," from a strong lady family.

I say this lil' rhyme for my sweet PopPop,

All will agree that you have been nonstop

Inspiring others to push with all of their might

But not be too serious, life's about delight.

 

John Slattery always wanted to leave visits while everyone was still happy with him - and he did.

 

He will be sorely missed by all, including his children, whom he always deemed perfect in every way regardless of reality, and their spouses: Jeanne Slattery and Randy Potter, Steve and Jennifer Slattery, Maureen (Slattery) and Mark Haugen, David Slattery, and Julie (Slattery) and Brian Daniels.

 

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the VOOM Foundation (https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTgzODQx), founded by Dr Vincent Ohaju in memory of his father who died of a heart problem in Nigeria that could have easily been fixed in the US. Dr Ohaju is the surgeon who successfully treated John's wife when she had colon cancer seven years ago. He is credited with saving her life.