Robert John Slade

Robert (Bob) J. Slade, 88, passed away peacefully at his home, in Holbrook, Arizona on June 29, 2015. He was born on June 16, 1927 in Green Bay, Wisconsin to Caroline Wilz and Charlie Slade. At age 8, the family moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he attended grade school and St. Mary's High School. Bob was a member of the 82nd Airborne as a radio-telephone operator during WWII. He married Barbara D. Mayer on June 18, 1949 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Phoenix. Bob worked at the U.S. Post Office for three years before joining Arizona Public Service as a lineman. While living in Phoenix, his seven children were born. Later he moved to Holbrook as an electrician to work on unit one at the Cholla Plant and later became district serviceman until his retirement from APS after 33 years of service. Bob was very active in Boy Scouts, serving as a Scoutmaster when his boys were scouts. He joined the Elks and has been an active member for 57 years. He was also active in his church as a member of the Knights of Columbus where he served as Grand Knight and in the Hashknife Pony Express where he served as captain for several years. After his retirement from APS, Bob and Bobbie ran the Barnyard Nursery. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and sponsored several softball teams during the summer leagues. Bob and Bobbie loved to spend time in the forest camping, fishing, boating, and visiting with his summer-time friends at Big Bear. You would always find him with his kids and grandchildren feeding chipmunks and cooking fantastic meals in his extensive kitchen. One of his favorite activities was riding in a boat dressed as Santa for the Christmas in July parade throughout the campground. Survivors include his loving wife, Bobbie; four sons: Dan (Sue), Bill (Jo), Tom (Karin), and Pat (Melinda); two daughters: Sue Wischmann (C.J.) and Debbie Hollins (Jesse); 21 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at 7:00 pm on Thursday, July 2, 2015, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Holbrook. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 3, 2015 at 10:00 am at the same location. Interment will follow at the Holbrook Cemetery. The family respectfully suggests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Catholic Charities or Hospice.