Dr. Donald Hillman Slocum of Convent Station died Friday, Feb. 29, 2008. A memorial service will be held at the Madison Hotel on Monday, March 3, 2008,from 6 to 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, March 4, at 10 a.m. at Corpus Christi Church, Southern Blvd., Chatham Township. A military burial service at Arlington National Cemetery will be held on April 10, 2008, at 11 a.m.

Dr. Slocum, a biochemist, was justly proud of his invention of Corian solid surface, the first product of its kind, and now widely used in homes and industry for counter surfaces and many other applications. This unique product created a major worldwide solid surface industry, which has grown every year for the last 40 years and now consists of dozens of products and manufacturers. In the biological sciences, Dr. Slocum was among the earliest researchers to propose and demonstrate the role of free radicals as agents in stimulated and aberrant growth of cells. He was a prolific inventor and creative scientist with several patented inventions. He also served in executive leadership roles in several major corporations, including DuPont, Hoffmann-LaRoche, Curtiss-Wright, and Masonite, from which he retired as senior vice president of technology.

Dr. Slocum was also a writer, lecturer and teacher during his highly active career. Born in Flushing, N.Y., he received degrees from Davis and Elkins College in West Virginia, the University of Vermont, and The Ohio State University. He also attended Rider College and Pace University. Additionally, he received honorary degrees and other special awards, and was inducted into several business halls of fame.

Dr. Slocum served in the Korean Warin the 194th Engineer Combat Battalion, and retired from the U.S. Army as a colonel after 30 years of service. He was highly decorated for his service and will be interred in the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. Don was a noted amateur baseball and softball player, having played on the 1997 Senior Olympics Gold Medal Baseball Team. He played with the New Jersey Embers Senior Softball Team, which won three consecutive silver medals in the National Games in 1999, 2001, and 2003. He was very proud of his teammates who made these accomplishments possible.

Don was an inspired scientist, a talented executive, a gentleman in every sense of the word, and an inspiration to others. Always humble about his accomplishments, he was able to share his experiences in an engaging and enthralling manner.

Dr. Slocum is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara Ruane; his three children, Richard, Mark and Carol; his sisters-in-law, Kathy Gossweiler, Patty Lillman and Mary Ellen Mosier, brother-inlaw, Thomas Ruane, and their families. He will be especially missed by his nieces and nephews, who loved him dearly.

Donations in Dr. Slocums name may be made to the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University, DUMC 3624, Durham, N.C. 27710.