John Slater Obituary

To John´s family and Ann Marie:

I had the honor of working with John as his colleague and fellow GAL in Juvenile Court 6 years ago. He was a dedicated and caring attorney, as well as a great guy and good friend. More recently, just this past summer, he helped me when I needed some documents sent to me in Spain from Chicago.He was right there, ready to help even though we hadn´t been in contact for a couple of years. I was stunned when I heard the news of his death. It´s clear from all the entries here that John touched many, many lives and was a positive force in the world. He will be sorely missed.

To Ann Marie and the entire Slater Family,

I am deeply saddened about your loss. I knew John from our days playing together in a rock band in Chicago in 1998. I knew that what he did in his professional life was honorable and I would like to add that he also was an excellent guitar player who played in bands for the pure joy of it. He was always a great guy to be around and the way he jumped around on stage showed that he got a lot of pleasure out of performing.

It was with great regret that I learned of the death of John. He was a gentleman, role model, but most of all a man proud of his profession and the very large family of children he helped so much. John Slater had a positive influence on those who knew and admired him. He will be missed, however, his integrity and contribution to everyone he knew will be remembered. The enthusiastic smile he enjoyed after doing a good deed, and there were many in his short lifetime with us, will remain in my memory of him. I am most grateful for the sympathy, caring concern, and powerfully insightful encouragement he gave the children and litigants he represented and tirelessly worked with each day. John really cared. Our courts will accomplish more with less hurt if only all attorneys would strive to emulate his exemplary life, professionalism and dedication. My observations of John were from the bench in many of the courtrooms where John would appear regularly to do his good deeds. Bettina joins me in extending our sincere regrets. Our prayers are with his wife Ann Marie, his family and all those he loved.

Retired Judge Francis A. Gembala

Dear Ann Marie:



The very first time I met John his warm, kind and generous heart was apparent. I am so distressed at your loss and the passing of such a kind soul from this earth. Please know that I am thinking about you with thoughts of healing.



Warm regards,



Pam Crutchfield

I met John a couple of years ago in court at the Daley Center. I spoke with him periodically outside the courtroom, and we both lived in Wicker Park. He is one of the kindest lawyers I have ever known. I kept his card and I never forgot him. It was a great shock to hear a dj on a local chicago radio station take a moment to talk about John and what a great guy he had been. I had no idea he was one of the victims. My heart weighs very heavy with this news, and I wish his wife and family all the best.

I was saddened to hear of John's death. John and I went to high school together in Ames, IA and played together for many years on the tennis team. John had an unrelenting passion for everything he did. I am sorry I have only now found out what great things he had done with his life since his high school days. He obviously touched many people.

Dear Slater Family:



I was a friend of John's during our undergraduate days in Iowa City. Although I've only seen him once since school, I was very saddened to learn that his life was taken so untimely. He was a wonderful person during college - fun to be around, smart, sincere and generous. From all I've read, he remained just as special in more recent years. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family and John's friends during this difficult time. I will always have fond memories of John.



Sincerely,

Dear Slater Family,



While I have not seen John for over 15 years, I still have vivid and fond memories of our times together at the University of Iowa. I am shocked and deeply saddened for your loss. John was a wonderful person. Our thoughts and prayers are with John's family during this very sad time.



Scott and Jolynn Gamble

Dear Slater Family:



I would like to reiterate my family's sincere condolences on the loss of John. Although I'd only known John for a few years, it only took a few minutes to realize what a genuinely nice person he was. John and I shared a love for music and those who had met him through our music circles remember him as a great person and are saddened by the tragic news. Knowing how much of a positive impact he had on my life for the short time I knew him, I can only imagine how special he was to his family, friends, and the children he helped. He will surely be missed by all.

Dear Anne Marie:

In years past John made the CRCL Dinner Dance a hundred times more fun for me and I will always remember how Betsy smiled at him this year when she would not even make eye contact with Gail. I hope you will consider coming to the dinner dance in future as part of our large and loving family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Dear Slater family:

I met John three years ago when he was appointed in a very contested custody case in which I represent the child's mother. Though I did not always agree with his point of view, I never doubted his sincerity. I am truly sorry we were not able to finish the case and will keep you in my prayers.

John and I swam together as members of the Bally's masters swim team in Lakeview. I got to know him as we trudged into the pool before 6am on many, many cold, dark mornings. In addition, we finished at the same time at the Chicago Triathlon and we talked for awhile as we consumed bananas and a lot of water. In the brief time of knowing him, he struck me as one of the nicest guys I've ever met. I cannot imagine how hard it is for all of you lose a husband or friend, but for even for me, a casual athlete acquantance, it is heart aching and sad. I will miss him and am sorry for everyone's loss.

Dear Slater Family;



I first met John when we were both GAL's working at Juvenile Court. I did not know him well, but we had friends in common so I heard about him often and I saw him often. There was a warmth, decency and centeredness about John that are hard to describe. He accomplished a lot in his young life and impacted so many people in ways that he will never know. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. I am sorry for your loss.

Dear Slater Family - my heart is heavy with sadness for your entire family. I did not know John personally. But, as a friend of Tia's from Bettendorf, I do know how close and important your family is. Tia speaks of you often. Please know our prayers are with you all.

The Herzberg Family

Jeff and Patty

Danny, Billy & Sara

I didn't know John but am a friend of his sister, Tia. I'm not at all surprised to read about John's compassion, dedication and humility...these are obvious traits of this remarkable family. May you be comforted in knowing just how many lives and families John impacted. You are in our prayers - may God bless you.

Sincerely, Patti Schmidt and family Davenport, Iowa

Dear Slater Family,

We send our heartfelt condolences during this difficult time. May you gain strength from the wonderful memories that you all share of John.



Cindy and Bill Thielhorn

We are sending our heartfelt condolences in the loss of your husband Mr. John Slater 111. He was the Public Guardian to my nephew, less than one year ago. We were so impressed with his handling of our case. The most important thing was that he handled our case with genuine care and compassion. In a difficult domestic case, Mr. Slater spoke to my nephew and believed him. He represented my nephew and relayed all the important information to the Judge. Our family won this part of the case with his help. Mr. Slater, and was able to get my sister and her family out of a dangerous relationship.



Based upon what he did for my sister and my nephew, it started an entire new life for this family. My nephew has been the honor roll and doing well in a school. My nephew is happy and my sister is working hard on a new life.



We will never forget what Mr. John Slater did for our family. He was honest and he worked with integrity. He left such an impression on our lives. We will always remember his caring and the time he always took out of his busy schedule to talk with us about other questions we needed answers to. We could truly feel his caring about us, one of probably thousands of cases he represented. He will always be in our hearts. He is a man of great integrity and our lives our better because of his work. We are so sorry for your loss. We are sad and we feel the loss too.



Sincerely,



L.Albores & Family

Dear Slater Family:

We are from St. Stan's Church, we knew John, as one of the readers from Sunday 10AM Mass, our children are altar servers there. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you. Thank you very much for being part of St. Stan's community.

Dear Slater Family:



I want to give my condolences to the family. I knew John from the Carole Robertson Center for Learning Board. I will always remember John's smile and his concern as he offered solutions/suggestions to some of our child care issues. As all have testified, John was a real asset to our lives and to the children of Illinois. May God's love and grace surround the family.

To the Slater Family,

I am very sorry for your loss. I met John many years ago on a case we had together and remained friends after. I would often see him at the Daley Center and at seminars, he would always have a smile on his face and friendly words for me. Thank you for the opportunity for me to have known John. He was an inspiration and a ray of sunshine to all.



Dennis J. Callahan

Attorney at Law and fellow child's rep.

Dear Ms. Slater,



I had the pleasure of working as a law clerk this summer at the Cook County Office of the Public Guardian. I reported to John every morning for my assignments. He was a great person to work for. Not only did he help me figure out my tasks on a day-to-day basis, but he encouraged me with school and the future. He even agreed to be a reference for me as I looked for other work.

We had similar taste in music and swapped cds over the summer--he even gave me a copy of his cd Peel, which remains in the cd wallet that i carry with me daily. John was a great guy and I cannot fathom your loss.

Sincerely,

Amanda Ingram

Dear Ann Marie:



I've known John for 2 years, since he was appointed in a case where I am representing one of the parents. I was looking forward to our trial which was finally scheduled for next week. John and I became friendly and always talked about our families, his recent marriage to you, the new house and puppy. I have lost a valued colleague and the children of Cook County have lost a devoted advocate. May he continue his advocacy on high on the behalf of all his family and friends that remain.

Dear Mrs. Slater, family and friends:

As a family law attorney for over 30 years, frequently appointed to represent children in family law cases; and as an attorney who has a pending case on which John was working; I wanted to extend my sincere condolences to you and all of John's family and close friends.

He brought a voice of reason to a difficult situation. Always polite and easy going whenever possible; yet strong and forceful when necessary. I have a lot of respect for John and all for which he stood. I know that he passed up lucrative offers in private practice, and promotion with in the OPG to stay on the front line with the kids. What is significant is that I did not ever hear about that from John. His brilliance and dedication was outshadowed only by his humility and modesty. Children everywhere will miss him dearly, as will I.

--Martin E. Glassman, Chicago.

I did not know John. I wanted to say I am so sorry for your loss as I also am a parent and a Chicagoan.

Dear Ann Marie,

You have my deepest condolences. It is always so hard to believe that life is so short and can end so suddenly. I wish there was something more I could say at this time - but sometimes there is just nothing one can say. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.



Laurie

Dear Family,

I cannot tell you how very sad I am for your loss. I met John years ago when he was the guardian ad litem in a divorce/custody case that I was handling. He was very professional, smart, and one of the nicest persons I have ever known. We have all lost something. My heart goes out to all of you.

Marie Irene Murphy

Attorney at Law

To the Slater Family,



I (Jackie) had the pleasure of working with John on the board of the Carole Robertson Center for Learning. He was a wonderful person and always had a smile on his face. You are in our thoughts and in our prayers!

Dear Ann Marie,

You are in my thoughts and my prayers. May you find peace in your heart.

Dear Ann Marie,

You are in my thoughts and prayers. May you find peace in your heart.

I had the pleasure and privilege of working with John while I was volunteering with the juvenile abuse and neglect system through Court Appointed Special Advocate. John was a truly extraordinary advocate for the children in our case, not simply due to his skills but entirely due to his tremendous humanity. He was a delight to know and work with, and truly a mentor to me as we tried to help the children involved. I am so sorry to hear of your loss and will keep you in my prayers and thoughts.

Mrs. Slater,

My heart goes out to you & the family. I knew John through CRCL board, I am an employee at the center, & we will miss him dearly

Slater Family,

I am a friend of Tia's from Bettendorf. Tia, John and I ran the 2002 Turkey Trot in Davenport. I was so shocked to hear of John's untimely death. After reading all of the glowing accounts of John's life it makes it even more difficult to understand why God chose this time to bring John home to him. Although, I knew John only as a fellow runner and as Tia's brother, it was obvious he was so much more. My sincere condolences and my prayers are with John's entire family on this very sad occasion.

Dear Mrs. Slater and Family,



My husband (Joe)and I were deeply saddened when we heard news of the fire last Friday. It wasnt until we saw the newspaper that we had realized we knew John Slater. We lived upstairs from both him and his brother James on the 1900 block of Leavitt St. As a runner myself, they inspired me to start running marathons.I had always admired him and his brother James for running marathons(very fast). John was a good hearted man, he always spoke of the children he helped with great concern. Our thoughts and Prayers go out to the Slater family.

I am sorry for your loss. I am a bar attorney at the Cook County Juvenile Court Building. I met John some years ago. What a great person. He will be missed.

The Slater Family:



To say John was just one of the good guys would be an injustice. John represented my children in my custody case with the ex. Though our relationship was strictly professional, his role and interaction with my family made him a dear friend. My daughter Ashly especially liked John. We will all miss him. But we want you to know that his true legacy is not just one story, but 100's possibly 1000's of little stories for the unheard voices of the children he represented like mine. Only to know John was to truly appreciate him. His legacy will live on not only in my children whom he helped to save but in the lives of the many others he represented as well. The children of Cook County have truly lost a true Champion of their cause. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and may God Bless you all.



The Godbey Family

Our condolences to John's family. My daughters were represented by him in a court case. He was a great guy. We were all sad to here what had happened. You are in our prayers.



Michelle, Emily, Yvette, and Roy Skeets

Dear, dear Ann Marie,

We were away and saw the news, but never ever dreamed this would be the outcome. Our hearts are so very heavy and hope that in some way we can give you comfort in your grief. John was a gentle soul with a heart that welcomed the world. His smile entered and brightened up any room and he always extended his hand to help. We will miss this and know that there will be a large void in the River North "family" due to his untimely departure. Our thoughts are sent to you to wrap around you and in some small way bring you comfort. We will remember John with the same smile he brought to the world.



Our love to you and your family,

As ever,

Love,

Tita and Gene

Ann Marie, heartfelt condolences and prayers for strength to you and your family.

Dear Slater Family, I was so sorry to hear about your loss. I am a friend of Missy's from Houston and I wanted you to know that you are in my prayers. May God be with each of you right now and in the future. Liz Flanagan

Dear Ms. Slater and Family,

I am a family law attorney, and first met John about four years ago when he was assigned to represent small children in a divorce case I was handling for one of my clients. I quickly learned that John was one of the most decent, honest, fair-minded, compassionate individuals I ever had the pleasure of working with in the highly emotional area of divorce and child custody. I would see John most every week over at the Daley center in different court rooms, and we would always say hello to each other. John knew I have three children with my wife, and he would always, without fail, ask me how my family was doing. He was sincerely happy for me when I would say, "we're doing great."

Although I never had the pleasure of meeting John's wife or his family, I can tell each of you first hand that John was well received by the court room judges, well respected by his peers, and well liked by me. I will miss John dearly, and I extend my deepest condolences to everyone in the Slater family.