Francis "Frank" L. Slater

Click below to view the video of the funeral service. https://youtu.be/yFo6wOJHSo8 Francis (Frank) LeRoy Slater, 92, passed away Tuesday, April 20, 2021 in Valley Senior Living on Columbia. Francis (Frank) LeRoy Slater was born October 20, 1928, in Butler, Pennsylvania to Florence Elizabeth Kearney and Augustin LeRoy Slater. He graduated from Butler High School in June 1946. He enlisted in the U.S. Army October 1, 1946, serving fourteen months with the 1st Infantry Regiment, 6th Division, stationed near Pusan, Korea. Following his honorable discharge March 8, 1948, he attended Thiel College in Greenville, PA, graduating in January 1952 with a B.S. in Economics. While at Thiel, he married Joycelyn Brush in June 1950. Working in various accounting positions in the steel industry, he was selected in 1957 as one of a team assigned to learn Computer Programming and Systems Analysis with the goal of automating various accounting functions at Babcock & Wilcox Tube Mill in Beaver Falls, PA. In 1966 he joined the University of Pittsburgh Library System as Manager of Systems and Services and soon after entered the University's Library School earning his M.L.S. in 1969. He directed the development of the first automated circulation system in a major library in western Pennsylvania, followed by the creation of the University's Integrated, Automated Library System, 1979-1984. Joining the University of North Dakota in 1985, Frank served in a number of management positions at the Chester Fritz Library, including Interim Director. When then-President Thomas Clifford made the decision to computerize UND Libraries in spring of 1988, Frank was chosen as director of the project, which he named ODIN, (Online Dakota Information Network), for the chief and wisest god of Norse mythology, hence symbolic of the knowledge available to users of the system. ODIN expanded to include all the libraries of the ND Higher Education system, followed by a number of University and public and private libraries across the state. He was proud that the Grand Forks Public Library was the first non-University library to join ODIN. He retired as Director of ODIN July 1994. He was active in the American Society for Information Science, ASIS, serving as a member of the Board of Directors and as national treasurer. In 1979, ASIS presented him their second highest honor, the Watson Davis Award, for continuous dedicated service to the Society. Francis married his beloved wife, Sandra (Sandy) Margetson Beidler May 6, 1994. Together they enjoyed their comfortable mobile home at Maple Lake, fishing from their pontoon boat, watching backyard birds, and sunset drives spotting deer. In retirement, Frank served on the University Credit Union Board, was bookkeeper for St. Paul's Episcopal Church, compiled his family history, indexed several Grand Forks historical record collections, and enjoyed reading western novels and solving crossword puzzles. He was an Irishman and quoting his daughter-in-law, “to know him is to love him.” Francis is survived by his loving wife, Sandy; children, Deborah Slater, Coraopolis, PA; Pamela Slater, Pittsburgh, PA; Mary Beth (Joseph) Kulka, Allison Park, PA; Susan Slater, Warren, PA; Thomas (Deborah) Slater, Ellicott City, MD; step-children, Kristina Beidler, Huntsville, AL; Susan (Todd) Taylor, Jacksonville, FL; David Beidler (Emily), Dallas, TX; grandchildren, Royal Skirtich, Zak Slater, and Liam and Eliana Slater; step-grandchildren, Laura Baran, Paige Larson, Joshua and Alexa Beidler, Mackenzie (Blake) Berger; Lauren (Jon) Castro; eight great-grandchildren; and Joycelyn Brush Slater. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 27, at 2:00, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Grand Forks, with visitation one hour beforehand in St. Paul's Great Hall. Face masks are required. Memorials may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church Outreach Committee. Interment: Memorial Park South Cemetery, Grand Forks.