Donald Zook Slagel, died unexpectedly April 3 at his home at the Sproul Block in Waldoboro. Born in Chicago, Ill., Jan. 13, 1928, to Arthur Slagel and Vester Zook Slagel, Don began his extraordinary life in Topeka, Ind. He served in the U.S. Navy with an honorable discharge in 1948. He continued on to Indiana University, graduating with bachelors and masters degrees in music and theater. For a subsequent ten years, he lived in New York City. He worked on and off Broadway, traveling nationally and in Canada touring, singing, directing, and writing music. Following three summers at Monmouth Theater, he opened a farm in North Belgrade while working at Winslow Public Schools and Colby College until 1972. During a sabbatical year, he did graduate work in Salzburg, Austria. Upon his return, he taught for UNESCO in Patzcuaro, Mexico and from 1974-1978, he was the Orff Schulwerk professor at Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y. During this time, he was a performing artist of music, wrote and published several works for children including "Songs and Dances for Children". He returned to Maine and opened LaVatout Bed and Breakfast and Art Gallery featuring beautiful sculptured gardens, designed and implemented by Don. He joyfully operated Donald Zook Slagel, died unexpectedly April 3 at his home at the Sproul Block in Waldoboro. Born in Chicago, Ill., Jan. 13, 1928, to Arthur Slagel and Vester Zook Slagel, Don began his extraordinary life in Topeka, Ind. He served in the U.S. Navy with an honorable discharge in 1948. He continued on to Indiana University, graduating with bachelors and masters degrees in music and theater. For a subsequent ten years, he lived in New York City. He worked on and off Broadway, traveling nationally and in Canada touring, singing, directing, and writing music. Following three summers at Monmouth Theater, he opened a farm in North Belgrade while working at Winslow Public Schools and Colby College until 1972. During a sabbatical year, he did graduate work in Salzburg, Austria. Upon his return, he taught for UNESCO in Patzcuaro, Mexico and from 1974-1978, he was the Orff Schulwerk professor at Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y. During this time, he was a performing artist of music, wrote and published several works for children including "Songs and Dances for Children". He returned to Maine and opened LaVatout Bed and Breakfast and Art Gallery featuring beautiful sculptured gardens, designed and implemented by Don. He joyfully operated LaVatout for ten years, enjoying cooking, gardening, painting and meeting patrons. During the last of his years, he transpired a rigorous therapy for Hodgkins disease and decided to return to Oneonta, N.Y. for some rehabilitation. While there, he started the Blue Nun Art Gallery. Several years later, he returned to Waldoboro for his "retirement", spending time writing, painting, and raising political consciousness. Some of his art training included Helder Parente in Salzburg; Siqueriros and Rufino Tamayo in Mexico; Candice Cole and Rita Dibert in Oneonta; Chris Weidman in Woods Hole, Mass.; and Anne Ayvaliotis in Maine. Don has displayed his artwork in numerous galleries and shows throughout the MidCoast. Don is survived by several paternal cousins and one maternal cousin in the Midwest. He will be missed by family and friends throughout the world. Special gratitude extended to Christine Achorn, Hall Funeral Home, Waldoboro Police Department and his Sproul Block neighbor who welcomed his beloved cat. Celebration of his life 1 p.m., Sat., June 24 at the Waldo Theater in Waldoboro. For more information please call Kate at 207-832-7749.
