Robert C. Slider, passed away on Sunday, May 28 at St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields. From 1966 to his retirement in 1986 he was band director and chairman of the fine arts department at CreteMonee High School in Crete, IL. Born in New Albany, IN on Jan. 23, 1931, Mr. Slider graduated from Indiana University at Bloomington with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. Later he earned a Master’s Degree in Music Education at Vandercook College of Music in Chicago, IL. He began his teaching career in 1953 in the Donovan, IL school system. From 1957 to 1966 he was Director of Instrumental Music at Hufford Junior High School in Joliet, IL. Bands under his direction participated in regional, state and national competitions and always received top honors. From an early age until his death, he played and studied the clarinet, including lessons with John Bruce Yeh, solo clarinetist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Slider played clarinet with the West Suburban Symphony Orchestra and accompanied the group on its London tour in 2003. He also co-founded the Suburban Youth Symphony Orchestra of Chicago Heights. Robert Slider married his high school sweetheart, LaVerne Thomerson, in 1951. They had three children, Darrell Slider of Tampa, FL, Diane (Matthew) Connor of LaGrange, IL and Daniel (Shirley) Slider of Tarzana, CA. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Holly and Brendan Connor and Patrick and Angela Slider. A Memorial Service will be held at the Crete United Methodist Church, 1321 Main Street, Crete, IL at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 4. Interment will be private at Graceland Memorial Park in New Albany, IN. Memorials may be made to the Crete United Methodist Church or the West Suburban Symphony Orchestra, P.O. Box 565, Hinsdale, IL 60522.
