Robert "Bob" Slusarek's Obituary
It is with deep love and profound gratitude for a life well lived that we announce the passing of Robert “Bob” Louis Slusarek, age 95, on July 5, 2025. A devoted husband, beloved father, cherished grandfather, accomplished athlete, and respected community leader, Bob left an enduring legacy of strength, compassion, and service.
Born on October 29, 1929, in Danville, Illinois, Bob grew up with a passion for athletics that would shape the course of his life. While he excelled in nearly every sport, his greatest love was baseball. At age 19, Bob signed with the Chicago Cubs organization, where he played in 340 professional games over four seasons, earned one All-Star appearance, and hit 14 home runs.
In 1952, Bob was drafted into the U.S. Army and served two years in Germany, where he played baseball to entertain the troops. He returned for his final season with the Cubs in 1955.
Following his baseball career, Bob earned an undergraduate degree from Southwest Missouri State and a master’s degree from the University of Illinois. Due to his prior professional status, he was ineligible to play college baseball – but he still competed in college basketball, golf and track.
Bob’s achievements on the field were matched by his devotion to his family and community.
He met the love of his life, Lois, in a church parking lot in Phoenix, Arizona, and proposed two weeks later. They married in 1960 and shared 61 years of love, laughter, and partnership. Bob was a proud and devoted father to Lee, Jeff, and Matt, and a guiding light to his grandchildren.
In 1970, Bob and his family moved from Phoenix to Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he joined the University of Arkansas coaching staff as Head Golf Coach. He led the Razorbacks through numerous intercollegiate competitions, including six Southwest Conference tournaments, with two top-five finishes—his best being 3rd place in 1971. After coaching, he taught physical education at the University of Arkansas until 1982.
In 1979, Bob and Lois helped introduce racquetball to Northwest Arkansas by opening the Northwest Athletic Club in Springdale. The club welcomed a wide range of community organizations over the years, from military combat training groups to the Arkansas Special Olympics.
Bob is survived by his three sons— Lee Slusarek and Terri Weir of Fayetteville, Jeff Slusarek and Bentley Hess of Maui, Hawaii, Matt Slusarek and his wife Morgan of Austin, Texas; one sister-in-law, Joyce Patten of Tucson, Arizona; three grandchildren, Paige Slusarek, Walker Slusarek and Lody Slusarek. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lois Slusarek and his parents, Lody and Pearl Slusarek.
Visitation will be 9:00 am – 9:30 am Thursday July 10, 2025 at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fayetteville with the Rosary to begin at 9:30 am. Funeral Mass to celebrate Bob’s life will be 10:00 am Thursday following the Rosary at St. Joseph’s Church in Fayetteville. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Bob’s memory to M & N Augustine Foundation, 503 East 15th Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701.
Bob lived with purpose and humility. He taught us to lead with kindness, compete with dignity, and love without condition. He never met a person he didn’t like and was the ultimate optimist. He will be deeply missed, and his spirit lives on in those privileged to know him.
To place an online tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com
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