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

Born in Jersey City, N.J., 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 BU. 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 army in 1941, serving in New Guinea and the Philippines during World War II. He was honorably discharged as 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, Mass., 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, Va., 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.

7 December 2000
Boston University
Office of University Relations