Arnold Clyde Slater

Arnold was born June 29, 1927 to Archie and Minnie (Schwanz) Slater in Portland, Oregon. He passed away peacefully on August 9, 2015. His family moved to Spanaway, Washington, where he was baptized August 24, 1930. He attended Roy High School briefly and graduated from Lincoln High School in Tacoma in 1944. He served in the US Army in 1946-47. Arnold met Marian Andahl, the love of his life, at an all school dance. They were married August 28, 1948. Following his graduation from Washington State College in 1951 as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, they moved to Olympia, where he resided until his death. They had four children: Laurie, Randy, Gary, and Susan, who all attended Washington State University. Arnold began his veterinary career working with a 1943 WSC graduate, Burt Potts. In 1954, he and a partner bought out the practice and founded Deschutes Animal Clinic, a mixed animal practice. Additional partners joined the practice over the years. He was honored to be selected for leadership roles in various professional, local service, and alumni organizations. His involvement in the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association began in 1954 when he was appointed to the WSVMA Legislative Committee, becoming chairman in 1956. He served on this committee for over 30 years, working with state legislators to build support for both WSU and the WSVMA. He served on the Governor’s State Meat Inspection Advisory Board and the WSVMA Meat Inspector Salary Committee. He was also a member of the advisory board for the animal technician program at Fort Steilacoom Community College and helped in developing their program. He undertook the challenge of getting the necessary changes made to state law so animal technicians could legally do what they were taught and be useful to veterinarians, animals, and society. He was dedicated to his alma mater and a pillar in the alumni groups, a leader in both the local and state veterinary associations, served his clients in the highest professional manner and with great compassion, and loved his profession with dedicated and unselfish work. In 1986, the WSVMA created the Dr. Arnold C. Slater Legislator of the Year Award given annually. Arnold received numerous awards, including the WSVMA Veterinarian of the Year, WSU Distinguished Veterinary Alumnus, WSU Alumni Achievement Award, American Animal Hospital Association award for Outstanding Service to the Veterinary Profession, and South Puget Sound Veterinary Medical Association Distinguished Service award. He was a member of the WSU Alumni Association, WSU College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Association, WSVMA, South Puget Sound Veterinary Medical Association, AVMA, Phi Delta Theta fraternity, Tumwater Rotary, Olympia Area Chamber of Commerce, Sons of Norway Hovedstad Lodge, Scottish Rite Olympia Lodge No. 1, Washington Horse Breeders Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Pioneer Association of Washington, Mountaineers, and the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. He also served as a volunteer at St. Peter Hospital for many years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and playing bridge and golf. Arnold is survived by his daughter, Laurie (Bob) Lien; sons, Randy (Lori) and Gary (Mary); son-in-law, Mark Holliday; brother, Jerry (Shirley) Slater; grandchildren, Curtis, Darin, Bryan, Austin, Quincy, and Caleb Slater and Joshua and Sarah Holliday; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marian; and daughter, Susan Holliday. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to WSU College of Veterinary Medicine Heritage Scholarship Fund, Alzheimer’s Association of Washington, or your favorite charity. Thanks to the staff at Panorama Convalescent and Rehabilitation Center for the awesome care they provided to Arnold during the last four+ years. Please leave memories of Arnold or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.