Dr. Frank B. Slezak passed away peacefully at his home in Oro Valley, AZ, on April 26, 2020. Born Nov. 19, 1928, and raised in Great Neck, New York, he attended college at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and Oklahoma State University, where he obtained Master’s and PhD degrees in Organic Chemistry.
He started his post-college years at Diamond Shamrock Company in Ohio as a research chemist. During that time he also authored and co-authored 28 domestic and international patents and numerous articles in industry publications.
He moved to New Jersey with his family in 1963 where he joined the Chemicals Research and Development Division of the Union Camp Corporation.
In 1969, he was bitten by the teaching bug and spent the next 29 years teaching organic, soils, fire science and nursing chemistry at Mercer County Community College in West Windsor NJ.
He was active with many educational commissions and advisory boards and served as a consultant for the Thomas A Edison College in Trenton NJ. A member for over 70 years, he was active in the American Chemical Society, including stints in the executive and board staff of of the Northeastern Ohio and Trenton NJ sections.
After retiring from teaching in 1998, he continued to pursue his interest in chemical research. He then devoted more time to stamp collecting, model railroad building and operations and reading.
Predeceased by Barbara Slezak ’53, his wife of 57 years, he leaves behind son James Slezak (Pamela Ohman) of Mundelein, Illinois and daughter Carolyn Slezak of San Jose, California.