Eastern Michigan Athletics
Long-Time EMU Dentist Tom Slade Passes Away
11/14/2006 10:44:04 AM | General
Served as athletics department dentist since 1984
ANN ARBOR, Mich.-- Tom Slade, Eastern Michigan University’s athletic team dentist from 1984 until 2006 passed away Sunday, November 12, in Ann Arbor following a lengthy illness. He was 54 years old.
After shining in high school as a student and athlete at Saginaw High School, Slade accepted a football scholarship from the University of Michigan. In 1972 he earned the starting quarterback job and guided the Wolverines to an 11-0 regular season and a berth in the Rose Bowl, which they lost to Stanford. His athletic achievements were recognized in 2004 when he was inducted into the Saginaw County Sports Hall of Fame.
After graduating from Michigan, Slade went through the U-M School of Dentistry and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1978. He taught in the U-M School of Dentistry for three years before starting his own practice in 1981 where he continued to practice until retiring last year.
In his spare time, Slade was a Michigan High School Athletic Association basketball official and officiated numerous state finals. He also served as a Big Ten and Mid-American Conference women’s basketball official. He was active in the Ypsilanti Area Chamber of Commerce and served a three-year term as the president of the EMU Baseball "Dugout Club".
Slade is survived by his wife, Pam St. John, and his children Andrew (19) and Spencer (16)
The funeral service will be Thursday, Nov. 16, at 11 a.m in St. Paul Lutheran Church (420 W. Liberty Street, Ann Arbor). In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the University of Michigan Cancer Center. Envelopes are available at Stark Funeral Service Moore Memorial Chapel where the family will greet friends Wednesday, Nov. 15, 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. There will also be visitation at the church from 10 a.m. until time of service Thursday. Please sign his guest book at www.starkfuneral.com
