Franklin Jay Slagle

Franklin Jay Slagle September 26, 1947 ? September 24, 2006 passed away peacefully with his family present on Sunday morning at 11 am. Frank fought an aggressive cancerous brain tumor for over a year and a half with dignity and optimism. He was a wonderful and loving husband, father, teacher and friend.

If one thing can be said about Frank it was that he truly enjoyed life. His enthusiasm for life was evident in his love for family and his passion for learning. Frank loved to tell stories and jokes and he constantly kept a smile on his face and brought laughter to others. One of his favorite hobbies was being ?Chipper? the Clown with the Sioux Falls Shriners. At various times Frank could also be found taking pictures, flying an airplane, driving a motorcycle, scuba diving, riding a unicycle or mountain climbing.

Frank graduated from Washington State University in 1970 with a degree in pharmacy, received an MBA from the University of Washington in 1974, a JD from Gonzaga University in 1979, and an LLM in taxation from the University of Florida in 1980. He practiced law in Spokane, Washington for 4 years before moving to Vermillion where he taught at the University of South Dakota School of Law for over 22 years. He absolutely loved his job, the people he worked with, and his students. Frank reportedly brought the law school ?into the computer age? and was also active throughout the University serving as the Chair of the University Faculty Senate as well as many other committees and groups.

Frank understood the meaning of community. His activism ranged from the University to church to city politics. Frank was an active member at Trintiy Lutheran serving as congregation President, a Deacon, and a Stephen Minister. His service extended to the regional and national level during his 8 years as the ELCA South Dakota Synod?s Vice President. Frank also served the community for 4 years as a member of the Vermillion City Council.

Frank is survived by his wife Ruth Ann; two daughters Jennifer and Elizabeth; father frank; brother Rich, wife Kitty; sister Shelley, husband Rich. He is preceded in death by his mother Betty.

A celebration of Frank?s life was held in Vermillion, South Dakota on September 30. Graveside will be Oct. 5, 2006 10:30 am at Washelli Cemetery, in Seattle, Washington.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Professor Frank Slagle Memorial Scholarship Fund at USD Foundation, PO Box 5555, Vermillion, SD 57069, or the Growing Edge Fund, which supports a variety of ministries though the SD Synod office at 2001 S. Summit, Sioux Falls, SD 57197. Please sign Frank's online guest book at www.usd.edu/law