Dr. Lowell Slyter, age 82 of rural Aurora, SD, passed away at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m, on Thursday, Sept. 12, at Brookings First Assembly of God. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m, on Wednesday, Sept, 11, at Eidsness Funeral Home. Burial will be 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13 in Fontana, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family so they may be given to a donation of their choice.
Dr. Lowell Slyter was born near Havre, Montana, on Oct. 23, 1941. He was the youngest of four sons and moved to Paola, Kansas, at age four. He was active in 4-H and FFA showing sheep, cattle and horses. After graduating from Paola High School, Lowell earned a BS degree in Animal Science at Kansas State University in 1964. During college he competed in several rodeo events and his love of horses continued his entire life. Lowell married his college sweetheart, Sondra Furey, in 1964 in Manhattan, Kansas. He earned his MS degree at the University of Nebraska in 1966 and returned to K-State for his Ph.D. degree in 1969.
In 1970, Lowell took a research position with South Dakota State University and was stationed in Rapid City. In 1972, Lowell and Sondra moved to Brookings, South Dakota, for a teaching and research position at SDSU where he pioneered research in fall lambing techniques. In addition to teaching numerous classes, “Doc” Slyter advised many students, taking a personal interest in each one. He was Block and Bridal Club advisor and won 2 National Championships as coach for the wool-judging team before retiring in 2001 as Professor Emeritus.
Lowell served on the Board of Trustees for the South Dakota Retirement System for 19 years.
Lowell was a relentless promoter of the sheep industry via regional broadcasting and national conference appearances. He was editor of The Sheep and Goat Research Journal for 8 years.
Lowell was an IFYE delegate to Jamaica and continued his international work helping to build churches, schools and housing in Spain and Guatemala. Lowell loved church. He taught Sunday School for over 40 years and served as deacon, worship leader and outpost commander for the Royal Ranger program for boys. Lowell also loved music. He played trombone, guitar and was known as “The Singing Cowboy” performing in nursing homes for many years.
In February of 2024, Lowell and Sondra celebrated 60 years of marriage and he lived on their acreage near Aurora, South Dakota, until his homecoming on Sept. 8, 2024. He will be remembered for his unshakable strength of character, his relentless commitment to excellence, and his unbridled drive to teach and serve.
Lowell is survived by his wife Sondra, two sons Trent and Travis and his brother David. He was preceded in death by his father Harry, his mother Helen and his brothers Leslie and Stanley.
