Marion Slaga Obituary

Mr. Slaga was, by far, the best and most formative teacher at Sunset Ridge when I had him as a teacher in 1980. I was thinking about him today, 11 years post his death, and found this tribute page. Godspeed, sir. You were one awesome teacher.

Mr Slaga was truly a unique teacher, the thing that speaks the most about the person he was, is the memories that people are sharing. They speak to the love and energy he put into his calling.
God Speed Mr Slaga.
I hope they have lots of rulers in heaven!
Whit SRS 78

Horseshoes and hand grenades. It's an analogy that I use to this day. Mr. Slaga was one of the good guys. Anne Pfaelzer

I've just heard about Mr. Slaga's passing. My condolences to all of his family. He was a great man and a great teacher. My favorite "Slaga" saying, which I use with my own students, was one he used when students raised their hands while he was explaining something. "You listen only waiting to speak" he would say. So true! Big and scary only occasionally, he was mostly big-hearted, kind, and encouraging. All of his students carry a piece of him in their hearts.

Laura Pettibone Wright, SRS '69

How wonderful to read so many peoples' memories of Mr. Slaga. I too have great memories and he and a few other Sunset Ridge teachers inspired me to become a Middle School teacher. I still use some of his favorite sayings in my class, and then the kids love to hear about my Middle School teachers! Thank you Mr. Slaga for being part of my life, you touched so many in such a positive way.

Mr. Slaga is the only person I've ever known who proved, conclusively, that 2 plus 2 really does equal 4. A great man, a great loss.
My deepest sympathies.

Mr. Slaga is truly an icon at SRS and I was very fortunate to have him as a teacher. If all teachers were like him, the world would be filled with kids with a love to learn. He made us want to do our best. He had such integrity and lead by example. I'm certain he is among everybody's favorite teachers/coach. RIP, Mr. Slaga. My condolence to his family.

I'm so sorry to hear about Mr. Slaga. He was always my favorite teacher at Sunset Ridge. I asked about him at NTW/SSR reunion 6/2010 and he wasn't sure if he was still around. I sure loved him.

My deepest condolences to the Slaga family. My smallest child just went through the 6th grade and once again, I retold my many Slaga stories. Their favorite being: "Whatever you do to the bottom, you do the same to the top - UH." They think he sounds incredible and I always tell them he was all that and more.

The Slaga Family,
Growing up down the street on Apple Hill from the Slaga family was an experience. I will Always remember Mr. Slaga with his strong spoken stories. A man of character! A man to look up to! Thanks for all the invites in the back of your station wagon to Lake Geneva. Huge Memories.

My deepest sympathy to Marion's family. Marion was a colleague for 10 years at SRS and what a guy! I can still remember the great smile and laugh! I used to love to just listen to Marion and Jim Clarkson tell all their stories. What a pair! I had the great pleasure of seeing both of them 3 years ago at a retirement party(Mary Bortz) and so glad that I had that opportunity. SRS was a very special place and Marion had a huge part in making it so. Judy Waite Adams

I am saddened to learn of Marion's passing. He mentored me when I was a new new teacher at Sunset Ridge School and I appreciated his guidance. Marion was a good friend. It was special when he and Jim Clarkson got together to share stories and jokes. He was a good friend.

I don't think words can say what an incredible person Mr. Slaga was. He will be missed by many but the stories about him will live on. I know I've passed many stories and Slaga sayings on to my children and they have passed them on to their friends. God Bless you Mr. Slaga.

Marion Slaga was a great man, teacher and leader. A true loss for all who knew him. The world is a little poorer with his passing.

Growing up on the same road as the slaga family has left all of us with countless memories,Everyone loved Mr. slaga and he was always the life of the party; He will truely be missed. My heart goes out to the slaga family; Al harvey

Mr. Slaga was a wonderful teacher and person! OH how he loved his order I will never forget how he HAD to erase his black board!!
The Slaga family are in my prayers!!
I was a student of his and am now a teacher

Mr. Slaga was a man among men! He was a challenging, supportive, first class teacher! I still remember Mable and Cynthia as being some of his toughest story problems! He made sixth grade at Sunset Ridge School an awesome year! I wish abundant blessings and memories to his entire family.

I always have remembered Mr. Slaga from Sunset Ridge. He was the best teacher!! My thoghts and prayers are with his family.
Robin Short
SRS Class of 1974

What a sad way way to bring back so many good memories. Marion was a delightful man with a wry sense of humor, a real treat to know. We saw him back in Northfield not so many years ago and truly enjoyed catching up.

To all of his family, please accept our sincere sympathies and our condolences. Hang onto those memories; they will help as you learn to live without Marion. We hate to see an era end.

When I started teaching @ Sunset Ridge in 1982, I met Marion for the first time. He always spoke about his family and their importance to him. When he needed to quiet the kids down everyone in the building heard him.He always talked about going to Lake Forest to purchase Suits at their big garage sale. I learned that material things meant nothing to him. We would talk sports hours on end ! No one that knew Marion could forget the stories he and Jim Clarkson had , and how they tormented each other. He was an awesome man ! He will be missed greatly! Steve Timko, teacher Sunset Ridge School

Marion was such a sweet, kind man. So sorry to have read of his passing this evening. I want to extend my condolences and sympathy to his family. I had the privilege of working with your father at the Delnor Health and Wellness Center.

I am so sorry that he passed away! He was a wonderful teacher and a legend! My sympathies are with his family.

Mr. Slaga was an amazing teacher, who had quite an impact on all of his students. He was soft at heart but knew how to use his physical size to intimidate when necessary, and smile when students chose to do the right thing. He kept careful track of all grades & posted them immediately, so that nobody ever had any questions about how they were doing in his classes. He inspired many of us to love mathematics by communicating his own love of the subject - and I (among others, I'm sure) ended up a math major in college and graduate school! I am so pleased to have had him as a teacher. All my condolences to his family - he will be missed.

A Sunset Ridge legend. His lasting imprint will remain in us all. With deepest sympathy, Debby, Bim and Kathy Surpless

To Mr. Slaga's children: The tributes you read here from your father's former students are just a tiny slice of the impact this wonderful man made on an entire generation of children in Northfield. He truly made a difference and is one of the reasons so many of us will love Sunset Ridge forever. My condolences to all of you. Vicky Phinney Welsh, SRS Class of '68

Great memories of a great teacher. Mr. Slaga is a legend. Not so great memory: Fido's Doghouse epic math test!
My condolences to the family~

We extend our deepest sympathy to the entire family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,
Sandy & Bruce

You are in my thoughts and prayers in this difficult time but I smile knowing that your Dad is back home with your Mom. Love to you all.

When Mr. Slaga came to Sunset Ridge, I had the good fortune to be in his very first class room as a student. We all chuckled when we heard the name of our new male teacher was 'Marion'... but we didn't laugh long. Mr. Slaga was a mountain of a man, with handwriting that a computer program couldn't write more beautifully, and a love of teaching that blessed each one of us fortunate to be mentored by him. He was also a phenomenal athletics coach, and taught afterschool sports with another true Icon of Sunset Ridge, Mr 'C'.

I recall one day finally standing up to one of the bully's in school who had made my life miserable for years. This jerk had called my best friend a religious obscenity... and when my friend became upset, I finally had had enough. I threw this kid down to the ground and scissor-locked him to the point where he was screaming for help. Mr. Slaga came over, pulled us apart, picked us both up like we were toothpicks, and angrily told us to get dressed and go home. As I dusted myself off and started to sprint to the locker-room, Mr. Slaga grabbed me by the shorts and pulled me to him. “It's about time someone clocked him, David,” he said. “I'm proud of you.” Mr. Slaga has been one of my life heroes ever since. Rest in Peace, Marion. You have a legion of those who loved you, respected you, and are better for your being in their lives.

~ David R. Hough – Sunset Ridge Class of 1966

Noodles will be missed a whole lot in our lives. Not only my father in law, but he was always a father to me.He will be always missed Love Joyce Slaga his daughter in law wife to Tom.

I had just moved from a small school in Chicago to Sunset Ridge. I went to the front office to have my mom take me home. I wasn't sick, I was terrified; of the new school, teachers and students. Mr. Slaga (whom I had not met, but of whom I was afraid, as well) was in the office talking to another adult. I was sitting there, trying not to cry. Mr. Slaga asked if he could speak to me, sat down with me and quietly told me about all of the teachers I would have, and about a few of the kids in my grade, too. He held my hand the entire time. Then he got up and turned into this boisterous, funny man. I never got to have him as a teacher, but I have always remembered him fondly. Rest in peace, Mr. Slaga. Tammy (McShane) Maltby, SRS Class of 1974

Mr. Slaga was one of my most memorable teachers. He not only had the gift- but was able to deliver it in the most precious,but authoritative fashion. The combination of his smile and eyes was taylor made to each and every one of his students. He truly made me want to "get it". RIP Mr. Slaga

I too was in Mr. Slaga's first class at SSR. He was and continues to be my favorite teacher in a K-20 experience. Our daughter has been hearing "only the best is good enough. Mr. Slaga" her whole life. When I finished my PhD and we held a party in Northfield, guess who was tops on my guest list? A mountain of a man with the best blackboard handwriting I have ever seen. RIP, Kim Brown

Mr. Slaga expected excellence from his students. He knew when to push and he knew when to laugh! When entering 6th grade I was so scared to have him as my teacher, but he opened up his warm, loving, fatherly side and all the fear melted! He taught more than just math, he taught us students how to work hard, and do right! Much love and sympathy to the Slaga family.
Mary Jane (Sweeney) Hoff
SRS Class of 1984

When I had his math class in 6th Grade, I had terrible asthma. He treated me with dignity, honesty and sensitivity. This despite the fact that he know that I'd never be good in math. Funny. Smart. A real credit to the entire community. Sorry about his passing.

Thank you Mr. Slaga for being a truly great teacher. You impacted so many of us, as you were able to teach and to reach even those of us that struggled in math with humor and talent. My prayers and heartfelt wishes go out to your family.

Mr.Slaga was loved by all and he was one of the people who made Sunset Ridge School great.

A real "tough love" teacher, with the love shining through -- love of his students and love of math. The tough was because he respected us enough to ask us to do our best. I didn't realize he had 13 children. No wonder we didn't phase him! An amazing teacher; I feel so lucky to have been in his classroom.
Stacy (Puls) Prince
SRS Class of '73

One of the greats! He taught me to think,asking "does you answer make sense" on the funnier side he used to tell me and a few trouble makers I'll bend you shirt with you in it. He left an impression on me and I am grateful. It was wonderful to have him teach me.

Mr. Slaga was an amazing teacher who left an impression on his students! I will never forget his little song for fractions-"Whatever you do to the bottom, you do the same to the top! HMMPH!" Who could forget the way he would meticulously erase his chalkboard -up and down and then around the perimeter of it! I have never seen such clean chalkboards in my life!
When I became a teacher-I used many of his math strategies with my student. I always gave Mr. Slaga credit for them and told my students about him. I have even taught my own children his techniques! His legacy continues...
Sending my thoughts and prayers to the family.

Mr. Slaga's Family,
Just so you know - Mr. Slaga touched many, many people over the years including me. I remember him so well. From 6th grade home room, math class - my first exposure to "the stock market game". Bull or Bear. Football coach with Mr. C. A real role model for all of us! I have thought of him often over the years. All those great sayings. Many of which I repeated to my own kids. God Bless! Walter "Chip" Roberts SRS Class of 1969.

When I began teaching at Sunset Ridge, I had a difficult time, as every first year teacher does. Marion and Jim Clarkson took me under their wing and helped me grow and become a decent teacher. I modeled my career after these two gentlemen because no one was more passionate, caring. and truly humorous. A great man has left this world. He will be missed by me and the hundreds of students he has touched.

One of the greatest teachers ever! You will be missed Mr. Slaga.
Laura Christian
SRS Class of '73

God Bless you and your family, Mr. Slaga. You were without question, the best teacher I ever had.

Scott Logan
Sunset Ridge School Class of 1974