Brian Slagle

Commander (Retired) Brian Allen Slagle, age 80, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2023 at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Washington after a heroic battle with heart disease. Brian was the son of Edwin Lorraine Slagle and Grace Harper Slagle, born October 23,1942 in Cleveland Ohio. A native of California, Brian was a graduate of Mt. Diablo High School, Concord, California, and later received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at San Francisco in 1966.

In March 1964, Brian enlisted with the Naval Reserve Submarine Division, and served with the Naval Reserve Submarine Division and on the USS Diodon in San Diego, California. Soon after Brian went on to serve on the Staff of Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces Europe at London, England and subsequently traveled in 24 foreign countries with pride in his 30 year Naval career. Commissioned as an officer in 1973, Brian continued his sea and shore duty assignments aboard USS Daniel Boone, USNS Range Sentinel (1976-1977) USS George Washington Carver (1977-1981), USS Lafayette (1982-1984), and USS Hunley, at Norfolk, Virginia (1988-1991). He proudly served shore assignments as Weapons Readiness and Training Officer, Submarine Group Two, Naval Submarine Base, Groton, Connecticut (1984-1986), Commanding Officer, Shippingport (ARDM-4) (1986-1988), Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, Submarine Group Nine, Naval Submarine Base, Bangor, (1991-1993) and retired Executive Officer of Naval Submarine Base, Bangor, Washington (1995).

Commander Slagle’s military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two Gold stars, Navy Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars, Navy Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Battle Efficiency “E”, Good Conduct Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars and National Defense Service Medal.

Brian loved baseball, animals, a fast car and the Navy. As a lifelong student in the narrative art of storytelling, journalism and history, Brian would often be found to tell a tale or two. His love of learning led to obtaining a Master’s degree and a second career in leadership as an education management professional teaching at Chapman University and at Seattle Maritime Academy, Washington.

Preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Grace, step-mother, Maureen, and former wife, Pauline, mother to Brian's surviving children, Pam (Scott) Schield, and Robert Slagle; Brian is also survived by sibling, Patricia (John) Poindexter, and step-siblings, Suzanne Somer and Michelle Clark; his nephews, Jeff (Janet) Poindexter, and Brian (Adrianna) Poindexter, and their children. As Brian wished, a ceremonial burial at sea will be performed at a later date. In remembrance, memorials to Veterans’ associations or to animal care is appreciated.