Dick Slater was a man of many talents.....................
Before LuAnn was born, in 1943, Dad got inducted into the Army Air Corps. It was there that he learned the Morse Code, signalling, and became adept in sending and receiving various complicated radio messages. It was probably near this time when Dad's interest in homing pigeons peaked, as well. Perhaps, because of the historic examples whereby homing pigeons were used in successful covert military actions in the past and during WW2 as Dad was in training.
Dick upheld his love towards his feathered friends (including all types of poultry) for the rest of his life. He was proficient in raising birds, of all types, and was quick to recognize their usefulness whether it be for pleasure or for something to add to the table. Dad had the first federally licensed poultry business, in the Tacoma area, and sold to everyone, including the military at McChord Air Force Base and Fort Lewis. He not only raised his product but operated his own slaughter and packing facility.
Dad was also a proficient builder. He credited his father-in-law, Bertie Fairclough, for most of his carpentry adeptness, as Grandpa Fairclough, a master carpenter, taught my Dad many "tricks of the trade".
Dad supported himself, and his family numerous times , throughout his life, using his carpentry skills when no other employment option was offered. Dad learned several trades in his lifetime and always had something that he could fall back on. He was an expert framer. Dad could frame up a structure lickitly-split whether it be a dog house, a shed, a pigeon loft or a chicken coop, a filtered-shade patio frame-up & cover, a garage, or a new home--from scratch. My sisters and I have seen him do them all. Dick Slater could do it--and proficiently right! He also learned the roofing and siding trade and ran his own business for several years.
I can't recall every structure that Dad built for himself or for others from absolute scratch, but there were a slew of various projects ranging along his entire lifespan. I never knew Dad to get heavily involved in a time-consuming finish-type project (such as cabinet work, intricate joint-work, etc.--that was Grandpa Fairclough's specialty). I do remember Dad building a wooden fishing boat, once in Tacoma, tho. Dick could set footings, measure and line up a precise roof pitch, put in flooring, frame in windows and doors, and frame walls & trusses with the best of them. Boy, could he ever frame!............an expert at this! He was also quite proficient at the laying of sheet-rock, and paneling phases. Dick could do it!
After Dad moved to Phoenix, he got involved installing drapery rods and hanging doors. Phoenix was going through a huge residential building boom and everyone needed these things done. These tasks could be done quickly and with high returns. It was good business and good money.
Dick was good with his hands and had a good eye for making a straight line. He was adept at using a handsaw, a skill saw, a chalk line, and making something level. I was always proud to witness my Dad "go to work" when he decided that something needed doing. Dick always had something to fall back on and he always got things right. I guess he learned that trait from Grandpa Fairclough. (He learned his salesmanship expertise from his Dad, Grandpa Slater).
Dick was a highly touted, professional barber as well, and barbered until he was 82! Dick Slater had the eye!