Class of 1968

Wednesday, March 3, 2004

Builder Robert Slattery Garnered Much Respect

By Charlotte Balcomb Lane
Journal Staff Writer
    Members of New Mexico's home building and business community on Tuesday mourned the death of award-winning custom home builder Robert Slattery, considered one of Albuquerque's most respected and respectful builders.
    Slattery, 53, died in a one-car accident in Albuquerque on Monday morning, apparently as a result of a heart attack or other unknown medical condition, police speculated. The cause of death hasn't been determined pending autopsy results.
    Slattery is survived by his wife, Marianne Dickinson, a son, Brendon, 14, and a brother Edwin Slattery.
    "He was sensitive and respectful of people in his business," said Realtor Jo Cook of Keller Williams Realty, who sold Robert Slattery Construction Homes for 12 years.
    Cook described Slattery as a friend and back-to-nature builder who was dedicated to building unique houses that worked in harmony with the land. He built or remodeled hundreds of houses during a 31-year career, including custom homes in Santa Fe, Lamy, Placitas, the East Mountains and North Valley.
    In 2000, Slattery was named builder of the year by the Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico. His houses also consistently won awards in the annual Homes of Enchantment Parade.
    Cook said Slattery built a house for her in the Nob Hill area, where Slattery's construction business was also located. She recalled Slattery being excited about the location because of the church bells in the neighborhood.
    "You can hear three different churches on Sunday morning," Cook recalled Slattery telling her.
    "I was blessed to have known him," she added.
    Jim Folkman, executive director of the Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico, praised Slattery's "social consciousness," and said he was one of the association's most dedicated members.
    Slattery held numerous positions in the organization over the years, including serving on the board, helping to establish the Green Builder Program in 1996, which was one of only three similar programs in the United States.
    According to friend and fellow home builder, Steve Spensley, Slattery was especially conscientious when it came to standards for energy, water and materials conservation.
    Slattery was also a chairman of the Remodelers Council and a founding member of the Custom Builders Council, which provided quality standards and continuing education for independent home builders.
    "He had a vision for the way Albuquerque should grow, including (supporting) infill development long before it was popular," Folkman said.
    Slattery was an energetic, hard-working man with a vibrant smile who exercised almost daily at Midtown Sports & Wellness. Originally from Iowa, he attended the University of New Mexico to do field work in archaeology. He started building in Santa Fe in 1973 before moving to Albuquerque in 1986.
    Memorial services are planned for March 8 through French Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Robert Slattery Memorial Fund at any branch of First State Bank.