I met Duren "Skip" Sleyster during a meeting on Blue Valley flood control in 1990.
"Skipster" as I called him was a Kansas Citian of the old school. A "doer."
Wearing coveralls- Mr. Sleyster stood at the back of the room where he growled out questions for the speakers (one of whom was future mayor Funkhouser).
Skip Sleyster wasn't the simple man he appeared to be. Almost single-handedly over a period of 40 years- Mr. Sleyster attempted to bring Blue Valley- once vibrant with industry that left America- back to life.
He tried to find viable uses for old buildings- like the General Motors Leeds plant and the huge Montgomery Wards distribution center at St. John & Belmont.
It took all of Skip's 85 years. Yesterday it took his life.
Duren "Skip" Sleyster died peacefully at home Thusday morning.
Visitation will be Monday 5-6pm at the Ararat Shrine Temple at 5100 Ararat Drive with Masonic services at 7:30pm.
Burial will be at Floral Hills at Blue Ridge and Gregory with a service prior at 1pm Tuesday.
"Skip" Sleyster tried to make his hometown of Kansas City a better place.
Thanks Skipster!!!
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1 comment:
I love that building on St John and Belmont. Until now, I had no idea what it was. It's "Super Flea" now I think, though there is a Super Flea or maybe just public storage at Independence and Winner, I think.
It's one of those fantastic Wonka style factory buildings you just don't see anymore. Thanks for mentioning this.
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