Bob Slagle

Bob Slagle

Malcolm

Bob Slagle, 77, of Malcom, died on Monday, September 23, 2024 at UnityPoint Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am, Monday, September 30, 2024 at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell. Interment will be at Ivy Hill Cemetery in Malcom. A luncheon will follow at the Malcom Auditorium. The family will receive friends at the visitation held from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm on Sunday, September 29 at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell.

Memorials may be designated to the Poweshiek County Fairground Association and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Bob's family online at www.smithfh.com.

Robert Dean Slagle was born on April 22, 1947, in Montezuma, Iowa, the son of Glenn and Fern (Thompson) Slagle. He was raised on an acreage in Brooklyn with a strong desire to farm. Bob graduated from Brooklyn-Guernsey-Malcom High School with the Class of 1965. He worked as a custodian at BGM High School and worked part-time for various area farmers before becoming a truck driver for Golden Sun Feeds in 1969. Bob started farming near Malcom in 1971 until his retirement in 2012.

Bob was united in marriage to Mary Pat Spriggs on January 3, 1970 at the Presbyterian Church in Grinnell. They were blessed with twin sons, Dean and Don, in 1973. Bob and Pat purchased the Dari Barn in 1987 and operated this business for 26 years until they both retired in 2012.

Bob was a Farm Bureau member and served on several boards and committees such as Poweshiek County Dairy Association, Dorset Sheep Breeders Association, Malcom Township Trustee, Poweshiek County Fair Board, Pork Producers, and was on the first committee to start the Pork Tent at the Iowa State Fair. He was a big supporter of both 4-H and FFA.

Bob enjoyed collecting antique tractors and loved to watch all of the Iowa collegiate teams play football and basketball. He also enjoyed watching his grandkids compete in sporting events, dance recitals, and livestock competitions. Bob was a talented cook and loved the challenge of coming up with new menu items for the Dari Barn. Once he retired, Bob started entering his pies and jams in the cooking contests at the county fair and Iowa State Fair. He looked forward to donating his pies to the county fair food stand each year and his blueberry rhubarb pie was always a crowd favorite. Bob would greet anyone he would meet with a big smile and could start a conversation with anyone. He will be remembered for his big heart and deep love for his family, his neighbors and his friends.

Bob is survived by his wife, Pat; sons, Dean (Jennifer) Slagle of Urbandale, IA and Don (Jennifer) Slagle of Grinnell; four grandchildren, Tyler, Lauren, Will and Anna; sister, Linda (Roger) Walz, of Tama, IA; and brother-in-law, Ray (Dorothy) Spriggs of Grinnell along with several nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Bill in 1996; and his sister, Theda in 2023.