Blow Molding Guru Slawska Dies at 80

Robert Slawska, whose career in industrial blow molding spanned five decades, died recently at his home in Hillsborough, N.J. He was 80.

Slawska was credited with creating the Sterling Blow Molding Division of Sterling Extruder Corp. He sat on the very first board of SPE Blow Molding Division in 1972. He served as board chairman, newsletter editor and ultimately Emeritus Member of the board. He was also an SPE Honored Service Member.

Slawska was a speaker, trainer, and mentor to those seeking careers in blow molding. He wrote several articles and Know-How columns on blow molding for Plastics Technology Magazine.  He also gave technical presentations on blow molding during several NPE shows at the Plastics Technology booth, and was a frequent presenter at ANTEC.

Slawska was still active in blow molding at the time of his passing. He had his own consulting company, Proven Technology Inc., and worked regularly with Graham Engineering's Blow Molding Systems group in York, Pa.

Born in Newark, N.J., Slawska joined the Marine Corp in 1954 and served until 1957, achieving the rank of Drill Sergeant. He attended Monmouth University, Rutgers University and took several courses in plastics at the then Newark College of Engineering (now the New Jersey Institute of Technology). 

Slawska's wife of 57 years, Vilma, predeceased him in March 2016. He is survived by his sister Vilma Hurst and her husband George; his daughter Emma Griffith and son-in-law Allan; sons William Slawska, Robert Slawska Jr. and daughter-in-law Suzanne Slawska; four grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers a memorial contribution can be made to The Covenant  House New York.