Slagle remembered for public service

Robert “Bob” Slagle, a well-known figure in the Daleville community, will be missed by those who worked and served with him.

Slagle passed away on Friday, March 29. He was 67 years old.

He was born on Jan. 25, 1952, in Ohio and went on to serve in the United States Army from 1970 to 1992, serving in Vietnam, Korea and Hawaii, according to Daleville Sun-Courier archives.

He continued his service lifestyle by being active in the Daleville and Fort Rucker communities.

“He was just everything,” Daleville Mayor Jayme Stayton said. “You could always count on Bob for anything with the city.”

“Bob was just active in the entire community,” Council member Alan Souders said, echoing Stayton’s sentiments. “He was part of the rescue squad, the secretary of AUSA for several years and he was always active in the water board and city council.”

Slagle served the community as a reserve police officer, dispatcher and school crossing guard, according to Sun-Courier archives. He also served with the Daleville Volunteer Rescue Squad, eventually becoming the captain.

Sun-Courier archives also show that Slagle was a lifetime member of the Fort Rucker-Wiregrass Chapter of AUSA, which he served as the executive secretary for many years before leaving the position in 2016.

AUSA’s Ingrid Strange recalled memories of Slagle making events happen for AUSA both locally and in Washington D. C., calling him “unselfish” and “a good guy.”

“He was one heck of a guy,” she said. “He was awesome.”

Slagle also served five terms as the Daleville Chamber of Commerce president. He served his first term as a Daleville council member from 2000-2004 and from 2008-2016.

“I cannot even stop about what all he did,” Strange, who also served with Slagle in the chamber, said. “He did everything.”

He also served on other city boards, including the Daleville Water and Sewer Board, and was named Man of the Year in 2000.

Slagle was a member of the Daleville Rotary Club, serving as its president in 1995, and was a member of the Daleville Lions Club, according to Sun-Courier archives. He was also a life member of the VFW and the Noncommissioned Officer Association.

“He was a dedicated public servant,” Council member Scott Moore said about Slagle’s service to Daleville.

“We’ll miss him,” Council member Jo Reese said.

“(Nobody) in this community will take his place, and that is a fact,” Strange said. “The City of Daleville will never be the same.”