Robert “Bob” Slaughter 1937-2005

Robert “Bob” Slaughter, 68, of Columbia, formerly of Bethany, Missouri , died September 15, 2005, at his home surrounded by family and friends.

Bob was born April 28, 1937, in Bethany, Missouri, the son of Olin F. and Ruth E. Bacon Slaughter. He was a member of First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, Bethany, Missouri.

On June 14, 1960, he married Peggy Ann Knipp at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Columbia, Missouri and she survives.

Other survivors include his mother, Ruth Slaughter, of Bethany; three children, Jo Ann Ralston and her husband Andrew, Larry Slaughter M.D. and his wife Betsy Tauer Slaughter, Columbia, Douglas Slaughter Ph. D, and his wife Carol Anthony Slaughter of Amherst, Massachusets,; five siblings, Jack Slaughter and wife Dottie, of Columbia, Olin Slaughter, and wife Jeanette, Irl Slaughter, and wife Judy, all of Bethany, Larry Paul Slaughter, and wife Paula of Yukon, Oklahoma, and Laura Gartman of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky; two grandchildren, Cheyenne Ralston and Julia Slaughter; a step-son, Charles Turner; and brother-in-law, Edwin D. Knipp and wife Gloria of Tipton; and several nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his father.

A graduate of Bethany High School, he attended the University of Missouri on a football scholarship, where he earned his bachelor’s and masters degrees. After graduation, he went to Waynesville R-VI Schools to teach biology and start their football program.

Bob was with Waynesville Schools 39 years, serving as teacher, coach, athletic director, middle school principal, and assistant to the superintendent. In 1997 he received the MSTA Central Administrator of the Year Award.

He was an excellent athlete who enjoyed playing tennis, especially doubles. Bob was an avid MU football fan who enjoyed tailgating with family and friends before the games.

A 1987 liver transplant recipient at Mayo Clinic, Bob has donated his body to science in the hope of advancing medical knowledge about liver failure and successful transplantation.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, September 20, 2005, at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbia.

Burial will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions are suggested to Mayo Clinic- Gift of Life Transplant House, Rochester, Minnesota.