Fluid Power Engineer Jack Slater Dies

Memorial service set for March.

John G. “Jack” Slater, 95, of Milwaukee, who was inducted into the Fluid Power Hall of Fame in 2020, died Nov. 30.

According to an obituary on Legacy.com, he passed away surrounded by family. Beloved father of John (Esther) Slater, and Jean (Daniel) Collins. Proud grandfather of Chris (Gretchen) Collins and Keith Collins. Dear great-grandfather of Madden, Dylan, Brannon, and Larkin. Further loved by many relatives and friends. Jack was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Charlotte Slater, and his second wife, Lee Becker.

Born July 17, 1926, in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Dr. Slater served two years in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He earned B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was an instructor in Fluid Mechanics for three years.

Dr. Slater made notable contributions in industry positions, first at W.C. Heath Associates (Chief Engineer) and then A.O. Smith Corp (Research Engineer and Manager of R&D Division; Director of New Product Development).

In 1972, Dr. Slater transitioned to academia and joined the faculty of Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). He was recognized as an outstanding professor and mentor to many students. He became Program Director for Fluid Power Engineering Technology and then Chairman of Mechanical Engineering Department. In addition to teaching at MSOE, he also developed and taught fluid power courses at the plants of MSOE clients and was a consultant and expert witness. He was an MSOE Professor Emeritus.

Dr. Slater received numerous awards over the course of his career, including the Karl O. Werwath Distinguished Research Award (1983).

In his free time, Jack enjoyed jogging/marathons (Badgerland Striders), sailing (Milwaukee Community Sailing Center), and teaching skiing (Snowstar Ski Club).

Beyond being a brilliant and honorable person, Dr. Slater will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and sense of humor. He had a positive impact on the lives of all those fortunate enough to know him.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service at Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, on March 4, 2022, at 10:30 a.m., with family greeting guests at 10 a.m. Memorials appreciated to Milwaukee School of Engineering Scholarship Fund (Development Office), University of Wisconsin Foundation (for the UW College of Engineering), or Milwaukee County Sailing Center (to create a building fund).