Reinhard (Ernie) Slagle was born June 23rd, 1922 in Hubbell, Nebraska to parents Otis and Emma Slagle. He lived a long and fruitful life, eventually settling down in Boulder, Colorado where he passed away peacefully December 5th, 2019, at the age of 97. Ernie is survived by his son Randall Slagle, his brother Robert Slagle, his grandchildren Don, Michael, Cassie, Ryan, Christopher, and Jonathan, and five great-grandchildren.
Ernie was the eldest of his nine siblings. He left Hubbell, Nebraska when he was drafted into the United States Army in 1942 and served for three and a half years. He was stationed in Los Angeles but also had memorable stops in New Orleans and Hawaii while on tour for three and a half years. Ernie worked with the beginnings of Boeing while serving as a crew chief on a B29 bomber managing the logistics and technical skills required to keep the huge plane in the air and successfully maneuvering them on and off the runways. Ernie’s life endured the First “New Deal” created by President FDR as well as the North American Heat Wave in the summer of 1936. After his tour concluded Ernie married Verna Swartz. While living in Nebraska the couple gave birth to two daughters Connie in 1950 and Cheryl in 1954.
The young family had the choice to move to open a Gambles Hardware Store in Texas or Colorado. The Slagles moved to Boulder Colorado their permanent home to open the Gambles Hardware on Pearl Street in Downtown Boulder. 1959 saw the passing of Elsie Ernie’s mother and 1960 saw the birth of Randall Slagle Ernie’s son. Ernie operated the Gambles store in direct competition with Valentines Hardware their Pearl Street neighbor. Valentines later became McGuckins Hardware a staple of the Boulder community.
Ernie and Verna eventually took on a new venture operating privately held postal contracts delivering mail to Boulder’s rural mountain communities. Ernie worked his route up Flagstaff mountain well into his early 80s. He was very dedicated to his work.
Ernie being the oldest was very proud of his family and the ability to provide for his siblings children and grandchildren. He could be found in his free time hosting his grandchildren, doing yard work, and traveling to see his brothers and sisters at family reunions. He had a love for the Boulder mountains the scenery and wildlife it contained. He was a genuine and charming person who enjoyed his social community often joking, “don’t take accept any wooden nickels,” or how it’s “awfully good to see you working.” He will be missed by many. The memorial service will be held Tuesday December 17th at 11am at the Crist Mortuary Funeral home with burial to follow.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18