Hans Donald “Slip” Slibsager passed away on Friday, July 27, 2018 peacefully at his home on B Street after a lengthy bout with congestive heart failure at the age of 84. He was preceded in death by his parents Hans and Mary Slibsager. He is survived by his wife Gwen, his four sons Mike (Wendy) Netarts, OR; David (Janet) Hollister, CA; Keith Oakland, CA; Dennis (Lorna) Colorado Springs, CO; his sister LelaV “Vee” Thomas of Prunedale, CA, and his cousins Bev Carlson of Ferndale, CA and Patsy Pinkney of San Jose, CA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Shane, Kristy, George, Grant, and Craig and his great grandchildren, Blakeley, Riley, and Paisley. Slip will be fondly remembered by his many nieces and nephews.
Slip, as he was known to most, was born in Salinas, CA and raised in Prunedale in northern Monterey County. After graduating Salinas High School in 1951 he entered the Army where he trained in the Signal Corps which eventually led to his 30 plus year career with the Pacific Telephone Company. While in the Army during the Korean War his time was spent in Puerto Rico. One of the many highlights of his life was playing baseball in Puerto Rico with fellow military Corpsmen Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente. Slip married Gwendolyn Lightfoot in 1956 (nearly 62 years) after returning from his military service and they started their family in Prunedale before moving to Hollister in 1960.
Slip was a consummate outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing, and camping with family and friends. Most of his summer was spent at the Moody Ranch in southern San Benito County with the Fall being split between the Hat Creek Region of Northern CA and Meeker, CO. He excelled as a fastpitch softball pitcher and competed successfully throughout the local area and statewide events into his 50’s. He was a former Boy Scouts of America Scout Leader, a Little League and Babe Ruth baseball coach, as well as coached Women’s and Girls softball. After retirement, when not hunting/fishing, he spent a lot of time painting houses, cutting firewood, and built more than a few brick BBQ’s for friends. For the past 10 years he has been a regular at the D & D donut/coffee shop visiting with friends and resolving many of the World’s problems. Slip touched and enhanced many lives throughout his life and will be missed by his family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 11 am, Saturday, August 11, 2018 at the Presbyterian Church of Hollister Christ Fellowship, 2066 San Benito Street, Hollister CA.
In lieu of flowers, please consider placing a comment in the online guest book, donating to Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund, Inc. at https://heartlandhospicefund.org/
To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Hans Slibsager, please visit the Black-Cooper-Sander Funeral Home Tribute Store.
