Col. Marshall "Tip" Slater Jr.

Colonel Marshall “Tip” Slater (Ret.), 76, of Haymarket, Virginia, passed away on February 25, 2023. Tip, son of Marshall “Tap” Slater and Norma (Meserve) Slater, was born on April 17, 1946, in Newburgh, New York. He married Ann (Golen) Slater in Lowell, Massachusetts, on December 28, 1968. Tip graduated from high school in Woburn, Massachusetts, and earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 1968 and a Master’s Degree in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1988. Tip retired from his career as a Chief Financial Officer of the Network Centric Operations Industry Consortium (NCOIC), where he provided financial leadership for the international, non-profit organization. Before joining NCOIC, Tip worked for over a decade with The Boeing Company, where he was director of Virtual Operations, responsible for developing a high-speed network environment of more than 150 high-tech laboratories. His other positions at Boeing included the deputy director of Strategic Architecture for Boeing Integrated Defense Systems and director of Business Development for Boeing Government Information and Communications Systems. Tip also had a distinguished 27-year career in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a Colonel. He amassed over 5,000 hours of flying time as a KC-135 and RC-135 aircraft navigator and was involved in RC-135, U-2, and SR-71 operations. He was commander of the 9th Communications Squadron at Beale AFB, California. Before military retirement, he served as the chief of the Combat Systems Divisions, directing all combat planning and execution systems to all echelons of warfighters. His military decorations were many and included the Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with twelve Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. Tip was known as a gifted storyteller, always luring in an audience where ever he went; his captivating tales will be missed. Tip also served for many years as a beloved swim coach for the Special Olympics. He was a member of the Veterans Association of America and the Military Officers Association of America. He is preceded in death by his father, Marshall "Tap" Slater, mother, Norma (Meserve) Slater, brother Jonathan Slater, and nephew David McHugh. Tip is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ann Slater; their children Marshall “Tony” Slater III and Scottie Ann (Erik) Visser; sisters Merry Beth (Robert) Rucker and Kathryn Slater; and sister-in-law Jane (Robert) McHugh. Tip will be missed dearly by his grandchildren, Margaret Visser and Samuel “Tap” Visser, as well as many loving nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. Following a Catholic Mass celebrated by his nephew, The Very Revered Father Brain J. McHugh, Tip was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on 6/21/23 with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to the Special Olympics, https://support.specialolympics.org or to Saint Katherine Drexel Mission Catholic Church, https://membership.faithdirect.net/VA786.