Brian M. Slator

Brian Michael Mark Slator, 67, of Fargo, ND, passed away unexpectedly over the weekend. Brian was born October 29, 1952, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Michael and Isabel (Spencer) Slator. The family lived in Winnipeg and Toronto before moving to Minneapolis, MN, where he graduated from Osseo High. Following high school, Brian worked for the railroad & traveled Europe with his best friend Dave Schmidt. He was late to go to college, attending the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. This is where he met his future wife, Rita Miller. They were married on January 7, 1984. Brian then went on to graduate school at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, where he received his Doctorate in Computer Science. They moved to Fargo for 2 years where he worked at NDSU before moving to Evanston, IL. They enjoyed their time in Evanston but returned to Fargo in 1997. Over the past years, Brian took pride in his involvement with the Computer Science Dept. at North Dakota State University. He was head of the Dept. for 10 years and cherished the friendships he made with so many students and colleagues. He mentored students across disciplines, and was instrumental in several interdepartmental collaborations

Brian was an award-winning scientist and teacher, a world traveler, and author. Throughout his life he worked on the railroad, rode a motorcycle cross country, laid sod, delivered newspapers, played hockey, and made movies with his friends.  He quit smoking 12 years ago, after 25 plus years, without telling anyone. He loved acting in school productions and supported his children in all their pursuits.  He did NOT enjoy musical theater, but…. still supported his daughters no matter what.  He went to hockey games with Adam, watched every production Audrey was in, took Megan to Tae Kwon Do competitions and was a Roadie for his wife’s Middle Eastern dance group.

Brian was a terrible cook, but gladly and with much appreciation ate everything put before him.  For breakfast, he even ate the first tries of his daughters’ cake baking efforts. He was smart, funny and generous.   He was the best story teller, had a loud scary voice that could frighten any kids, but watched them and his grandchildren with surprising delight. Family was always the most important thing. And he always tried to do that right thing.

Brian will be dearly missed by his wife, Rita; children, Adam (Sarah) Halverson Miller of Chicago, IL, Audrey (Mitch) Omar of Seattle, WA, and Megan (Hannah) Slator Hitchcock of Stone Mountain, GA; grandchildren, Nathaniel  Good, Isabel, Lillian and Elaina Omar, and Edith Slator Hitchcock; mother, Isabel  (Spencer) Slator; siblings,  Nancy (Daniel Grubbs) Slator, Kevin (Peggy) Slator, Patrick (Shelly) Slator; several nieces, nephews and many, many friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Michael.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers we have a GO FUND ME PAGE gf.me/u/x2cbmz

We will put it toward helping Women in Computer Science at NDSU.

Rita would like to thank the Fargo Police department, The Fargo Fire Department and the Cass County Coroner’s office for their kindness and respect during this ordeal.