Francis Slingerland

Surrounded by family, Frank gently left this life on March 20, 2014 after a lengthy struggle with Alzheimer's disease. He will be deeply missed and his memory cherished by his loving wife Doreen (née Gorr), his daughters Lynn Verner (and Rob), Joyce Slingerland (and Richard Tiberius), Cally Martin (and Roger), and Fran Slingerland (and friend John Scholberg), and by his grandchildren Jessica, Robert, Christopher, Kiry, Simon and Julien. The only child of the late Ethel and Walter Francis Slingerland, Frank grew from modest beginnings to enjoy a rich career in engineering, education and innovative research in vibration, acoustics and aerospace science. He leaves a legacy of life-long, dedicated service to education and to the Church. At 17, Frank received a McLaughlin Teaching Fellowship to study engineering at Queen's University, where he received his Masters in 1951. He went on to further study at Imperial College, London University, returning to Canada in 1954. In 1955 he married Doreen and they began their family and life-long journey together. They moved to Quebec City where Frank spent a decade with National Defense at the Defense Research Establishment - Valcartier (DREV) and served as a Canadian technical delegate to NATO. Frank moved on to become a professor of mechanical engineering at Laval University, serving as member of Laval's University Council and the Conseil Supérieur de l'Éducation for the province of Quebec. After 20 years at Laval Frank joined the National Research Council (Ottawa) as member and then director of the Aero-acoustics section of the Institute of Aerospace Research. His work included acoustic fatigue of composites, internal noise control for the Dash 8 and satellite high-noise testing. He was acoustic designer of Europe's largest acoustic test chamber and developed automatic control systems with industry-leading accuracy.
Frank developed an innovative method for diagnosing aircraft disasters, using flight recorder acoustic data to determine the precise nature and location of event causes. He served as consultant and expert witness on as many as 20 different airline disasters including the Air India Flight 182 bomb in 1986. Frank continued to develop this method after his retirement from the National Research Council in 1993 both with his own company, Vibacon, and with partners at Celeris Aerospace.
Frank was always an open, loving, energetic and dedicated partner, friend and companion. An avid outdoorsman, some-time actor, accomplished singer and self-taught harmonica player, he brought tremendous optimism, curiosity, industry and camaraderie to his every endeavour.
The family wishes to express its deepest gratitude to caregivers at Carleton Lodge who have provided excellent care, support and friendship during his stay there. Friends may visit at the Garden Chapel of Tubman Funeral Home, 3440 Richmond Rd (between Baseline and Bayshore Dr.) on Sunday, March 23, 2014 from 2 to 5 p.m. Funeral Service will be held in the chapel on Monday, March 24, at 1:30pm. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to The Alzheimer's Society, Good Shepherd Barrhaven Church (5-3500 Fallowfield Road), or the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund . Frank greeted each day, and each person in his life, with openness and love. He lived his life from beginning to end with faith, love, integrity, strength and great energy. He is at peace now after a life well-lived.