Obituary: Dr. Edward Howard Slagle / Psychiatrist devoted to his patients
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Dr. Edward Howard Slagle, 74, whose sincere, loving concern for people led him to become a psychiatrist, died of prostate cancer Sunday at his Squirrel Hill home.
Almost all of his 50-year professional career was devoted to the practice of psychiatry, though for the first four years of his medical life, he was a general practitioner while in France with the U.S. Air Force.
In general practice, patients often have to be hurried, noted Dr. David Ravella, who met Dr. Slagle a half-century ago when both were in specialty training.
"I think one of the things that attracted him to psychiatry was that it gave him time to actually sit down and talk with people," Dr. Ravella said. "He could put aside a certain amount of time and devote it entirely to the person and I think that appealed to him."
When he asked people how they were feeling, Dr. Slagle wouldn't be satisfied with a simple "fine," his friend noted.
"He wanted to know how you were fine and if there was any way to make you even finer," Dr. Ravella said, chuckling. "He really wanted to know people, and he wanted to know what contribution he could make to your well-being."
Dr. Slagle was devoted to his patients and continued practicing until almost the end of his life. He'd say he would cut back, but when his friends would call on what was to be a day off, they'd find he'd gone to work.
"He was a little upset that he had to cancel some patients on a day when he had to go to the hospital" because of his illness, Dr. Ravella said.
Dr. Slagle grew up in Green Tree and attended DePauw University in Indiana. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 1958, and trained at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, where he would later teach psychiatry residents.
In addition to tennis and other racket sports, cooking and vegetable gardening, he enjoyed fine wines, which he collected to share with family and friends.
Dr. Slagle is survived by his wife, Nellie Lou, three stepchildren and six step-grandchildren.
Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, followed by services, at Ralph Schugar Chapel, 5509 Centre Ave., Shadyside. Private burial will be held at a later date.
Correction/Clarification: (Published Oct. 18, 2006) Visitation and services for Dr. Edward Howard Slagle were held Oct. 17, 2006. An incorrect date was given in this news obituary as originally published Oct. 17, 2006.
First Published October 17, 2006 12:00 am
