Thomas Grier van Slyke – Colonel, Uinted States Army

Colonel Thomas Grier van Slyke (SED’47, GRS’56), CAS professor emeritus, died November 12, 2000 following a lengthy illness. He was 87.

Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, van Slyke graduated from Kents Hill Prep School in Maine, Colby College, and Boston University, where he earned a master’s degree in education and a master of arts. For two decades he was a professor of business administration at Boston University. When he retired in 1977, he was a guidance director and assistant to the dean in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Van Slyke was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army in 1941, serving in New Guinea and the Philippines during World War II. He was honorably discharged as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1946, but was called back to active duty from the reserves during the Korean War and then transferred to the Retired Reserves in 1968. The remainder of his military career was in the reserves, where he attained the rank of Colonel in 1970.

His military medals and awards include the Bronze Star, Army Commendation, Good Conduct, American Defense Service, American Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign with two campaign stars, World War II Victory, Philippine Liberation with two stars, Philippine Independence, Korean Service with three campaign stars, United Nations Service, National Defense Service, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, and Armed Forces Reserve. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90 in Norwood, Massachusetts, and the Reserve Officers Association.

Van Slyke was married to Madeline Frances Gleasure from 1941 until her death in 1994. Their son, Major Thomas G. van Slyke, Jr. (CAS’66), U.S. Army, died in 1986. Van Slyke is survived by numerous family members, including three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held in Arlington, Virginia, with burial in Arlington National Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Thomas G. van Slyke, Jr., Scholarship at BU’s College of Arts and Sciences, 725 Commonwealth Ave.

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard