Richard “Dick” Leroy Slocum – Palo Alto Daily Post

March 13, 1924 – September 26, 2021

Richard “Dick” Leroy Slocum died peacefully of natural causes at age 97 at 11:30 AM on Sunday, September 26th, 2021 at his home in Mountain View, CA. His Wife, Son and Daughter-in-law were with him at the time.

Dick is survived by his wife, Hannah Vivian Roos Slocum, his children; daughter, Gail Louise Slocum (Jordan Gruber); son, Ralph Michaels Slocum (Anne); and daughter Nancy Elizabeth Slocum (Kathy Hagerstrom). Also surviving him are his grandchildren, Alyssa Marie Slocum Gordon (Sean), Michael Edward Slocum (Amanda), Randolph Witherow Slocum, Grace Elizabeth Slocum, Diana Elizabeth Gruber, and Lucy Theda Slocum as well as many nieces
and nephews.

Dick is preceded in death by his father, Roy Milton Slocum (1932); mother, Ruth Haines Slocum (1978); siblings: Lurah Louise (1988), Helen Rebecca (2000), John Haines (2007), Roberta Maureen (2008), Joseph Sherman (2011), Dorothy Virginia (2013), 9 cousins, as well as his first wife, Jean Lynn Michaels Slocum (2014).

Richard (Dick) was born on Thursday, March 13th, 1924 at home in Baring, Missouri. He was the sixth of “The Slocum Seven” children. His father, Roy, passed when Dick was only eight, leaving the family fatherless while in the middle of the depression. The early death of his Father left a lasting impact on Dick’s life, however, he still managed to excel in academics, sports and music. As a teen, he was a member of his HS basketball state championship team.

At age 18, Dick enlisted in the US Navy V12 training program which involved classes at schools such at MIT, Notre Dame and Bowdoin. He then served as a Lieutenant, navigator and Senior Watchman on the Destroyer USS English DD696 in the Pacific Ocean. After the war, Dick earned his bachelor’s degree in Physics from Oregon State University in Corvallis while also lettering in three sports (track, pole vaulting, and basketball). He was also a member of Theta Xi fraternity and the marching band.

In 1950, Dick was called back to the Navy to serve on the USS Zellars DD777 off the shores of Korea. After serving in Korea, Dick earned his master’s degree from Stanford University Graduate School of Business (1955) in Palo Alto. It was here he met his first wife, Jean Michaels, and in 1957 they married in her hometown of Kansas City. The newlyweds settled in Palo Alto, where they raised three children. During these years, Dick worked for companies such as, Neely Enterprises and Hewlett Packard before starting RELCOM. Upon the 1970 sale of RELCOM to Watkins Johnson, he formed the venture capital firm, Slocum Enterprises. Dick and Jean later divorced in 1982.

In 1986, while doing research at the Stanford Graduate School Library, Dick met Hannah Roos (the helpful Stanford Librarian) whom he married later that same year. Dick and Hannah were married nearly 35 years and shared many common interests. Together they cheered for the Stanford Woman’s basketball, and Stanford Football teams. They frequently flew to Boston to see Dick’s daughter, Nancy, and her family. Thanksgiving holidays were enjoyed with daughter, Gail, and her family in Menlo Park and Christmas was celebrated with his son, Ralph, and his family in San Luis Obispo. The two often traveled to Oregon to attend the annual Shakespeare festival in Ashland, visit nephew Jeff Sackett and his wife Lori, and relish the beauty of Crater lake.

Dick was a beloved husband, father, sibling, uncle, coach. He was also a gifted golfer (until age 93), dancer and musician. Dick was an avid fan of Giants baseball, big band swing era music (Ellington, Goodman, Miller), red wine and anything to do with Stanford University. He will be missed by his loving wife, family and friends.

A memorial in his honor will be held on Sunday, November 7th, at The Unitarian Universalist Church (505 E Charleston Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94306, United States), at 3:00PM.

A post service reception will follow in the Fireside Room where, at Dick’s request, “good wine will be served”. Please join us in lifting a glass in his honor.

His ashes will be spread at a private family event at a later time.

Donations in honor of Dick may be made to The Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto.