Robert Lee Slaughter

Robert Lee Slaughter
1929 -2013
Bob. Robert. Trebor. Eminent Archon. Mr. Slaughter. Professor Slaughter. Daddy. In his 83 years, Bob Slaughter took his responsibilities and his fun very seriously. Born in Los Angeles in 1929, Bob moved to Balboa Island in 1943 with his parents and his younger brother, Nick. Bob graduated from Newport Harbor High School in 1947 after forming high school, and then, college friendships that spanned 66 years of enjoying the best of Newport. This group, largely intact today, will particularly miss the sincerity of his friendship.
Many families in Newport might still be cherishing those dark green Christmas tree decorations or the lettered bookends so lovingly fashioned by Bob in his woodworking shop. He loved making furniture for his wife Marilyn, and daughters, Joyce and Lauren, often finishing each piece with the phrase, “It’s good enough.”
Bob graduated from Orange Coast College in 1949 and San Diego State University in 1952, where he continued to refine his ‘socializing’ skills as Eminent Archon (President) of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. Phi Alpha!
After college, Bob met Marilyn Jones in 1956 at the original Beachcomber’s – the singles club in Newport Beach, where members would meet at Newport’s hotspots of the day including: Vaux (Balboa), Jamaica Inn (CdM), Villa Marina (Bayside at Jamboree) and the Buffalo Ranch (“out in the country” near what is now Ford Road and MacArthur Blvd). Marilyn Jones became Marilyn J. Slaughter on May 2nd of 1958.
Bob worked in Las Vegas for two years before returning to Newport as a partner at the House and Garden store. In 1966, he returned to school at Long Beach State University, graduating with an MBA in 1968. That same year he began teaching business courses at Orange Coast College. Professor Slaughter taught thousands of future accountants how to balance debits and credits before retiring from the Business Division at OCC in 1992.
He then began teaching all of us how to truly live life well – by savoring 21 more healthy years enjoying his family, friends and the pleasure he took in his daughters’ company. From the annual spring sunsets at the Puamana in Maui, to the family cracked crab dinners, to Newport Augustus Slaughter “Gus” (the beagle) and Rudy (the yellow lab), to hosting 32 consecutive Super Bowl parties, to his secret Cesar salad dressing ingredients and his homemade chocolate sauce, Bob savored every day with appreciation for where he was and what he had – his health, his wife, his daughters, and his friends – showing us in his subtle way the secrets to truly living life well.
Bob is survived by Marilyn, Joyce and Paul Cain, Lauren and John Whalen, and Nick and Donna Slaughter. Bob passed quickly on Sunday, March 24th. Earlier, Bob had jokingly stated in his final wishes, “All I want to hear is the sound of all those tears hitting the floor. That will be good enough.’’
In memory of Bob, we invite you to make donations to the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation 9272 Jeronimo Road Suite 122 Irvine, CA 92618.