David Lewis Slagle, 88, long-time pharmacist at Mitchell's Pharmacy in Waterville, passed away the morning of October 12, 2009. He was born in Republic in 1921, into a family of pharmacists who owned Republic Drug. After Republic High, he graduated from the WSU College of Pharmacy. During college summers, he was a Forest Service fire lookout on Fir Mountain. After college, he fought in World War II in the 7th Infantry, U.S. Army, as a combat medic. Stationed out of New Caledonia, he fought in the battles of Leyte and Okinawa, and was later stationed in the occupation of Korea. He was awarded a Bronze Star and, with much humility, a Purple Heart. He was a hero. Thereafter, his pharmacy career took him to stints at the family pharmacy in Republic and a store in Spokane. He then found himself at the Owl Drug in Wenatchee. He rotated to the Wenatchee Clinic Pharmacy, where in the summer of '48, he met a co-ed from BYU, Eileen Carr. They were smitten and married that November. They started their family in Davenport, WA, where four children were born. After making a brief return to Wenatchee at the Owl Drug, they moved to Waterville in 1954. They moved into the brick house on Birch Street, where four more children were born. Dave was known for the large garden that he tended every year. He had several "farm hands", so he and Eileen were able to put away a sizable bounty for the winter. He was known to milk a cow in the neighborhood to keep the children in milk. Dave always appreciated the friends and neighbors, who welcomed his large family and helped raise them. Dave and Eileen owned Mitchell's Pharmacy until 1994. They made many changes over that time, including closing the historic soda fountain and the addition of the State Liquor agency. He continued to work a few days a week, as an employee, until he was 83. He enjoyed attending Waterville sporting events, both home and away, and typically, you could find him at WSU's homecoming. Dave was a lifelong Mason at the Badger Mountain Lodge, where he was always traveling, especially to Eastern Star activities. He was a member of the Federated Church in Waterville, where he was a Deacon. He was also a member of the Waterville Chamber of Commerce. As an active member of the Douglas County Republican Central Committee, he was most proud of his role in helping George Sellar get appointed to his longtime position as State Senator. Dave married a second time to Leslie Haynes, after Eileen parted our world in 1994. Dave appreciated Leslie's companionship and support.

Dave was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen; his parents, J.W. and Elizabeth Moore Slagle; one brother, Maurice; and one sister, Gertrude Eleanor Slagle, all of Republic. He is survived by his brother, Richard of Republic; eight children, Daniel (Jan) in Kennewick, David Jr. (Barbara) in Boise, ID, Douglas in Charlotte, NC, Diane Hofer (Gary) in Touchet, Paul of SeaTac and Wenatchee, Steven (Janet) in San Jose, CA, Sheryl McGinley in Phoenix, AZ and Sibby Slagle-Meisner (Doug) of Erie, MI; his wife, Leslie Haynes; one stepson, Alan Haynes (Marnie) of Everett; 19 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at the Waterville Federated Church on Thursday, October 15, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. A dinner will follow. Dave appreciated flowers and would appreciate them as a tribute. Memorials may be made to Waterville Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 400, Waterville, WA 98858. Arrangements are made by the Waterville Funeral Home.