Clyde Wesley Slocum, educator, world traveler, lover of champagne and fly-in fishing, died on July 3, 2022 in Downers Grove, Illinois of congestive heart failure. He was 92 years old.
Born the 5th of 6 children in Echo, MN at the outset of the depression, he celebrated his midwestern farm roots but also sought to be a ‘citizen of the world’.
Clyde was a graduate of Redwood Falls HS, Carleton College (BA History) and Univ. of Illinois (MA, EdD). He served as Principal of US Defense Department schools in England and Turkey and Illinois public schools in Urbana (J.W. Hayes Elementary) and Evanston (Skiles Jr. High, Evanston Township HS); as Deputy Superintendent at New Trier Township HS; and as Superintendent in Tenafly, NJ and finally in Barrington, IL from 1979-1992.
He was an outstanding athlete in high school and college (and member of the MN 1947 all-state football team) and a 1st Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps. He shifted to golf and fishing in later years, and never stopped recounting play-by-play details of his past games. Time in the military helped to inspire his support of racial equality and civil rights, and his experiences in Europe and abroad inspired a lasting curiosity of other cultures and adjacent political issues.
In retirement, he merged love of travel with education by working for international and Department of Defense school accrediting agencies. He took a trip around the world and made frequent trips to Pakistan, Northern Africa and The Middle East.
He prioritized family, and (mostly) adjusted to the vexations of increasing infirmity with grace and positivity.
Survived by brother Laurie Slocum, sons Brian and Craig, daughter Carolyn, wife Anne Roberts, former wife Marjorie Slocum, grandsons Eli and Paul, granddaughter Maren, and many nieces and nephews. We are all fortunate to have experienced his enthusiasm, generosity of spirit, and love of life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Slocum Scholarship Fund, Carleton College, Northfield, MN.
Published by Legacy Remembers on Jul. 23, 2022.
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