Robert W. 'Corky' Southard, Longtime Slater Resident, Dies at 83

Southard was a U.S. Navy veteran who worked as a railroad laborer, electrician and plumber before retiring to Slater in 2003.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:42pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extremely blurred and abstracted photograph showing the faint outlines of storefronts and pedestrians on a small-town main street, conveying a sense of warm, nostalgic community through the use of soft, hazy colors and an out-of-focus composition.

The passing of a longtime Slater resident and Navy veteran reflects the quiet dignity of small-town Midwestern life.Nelson Today

Robert W. 'Corky' Southard, a longtime resident of Slater, Missouri, passed away on March 29, 2026 at the age of 83. Southard, a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam Era, had worked various jobs including as a railroad laborer, electrician and plumber before retiring to Slater in 2003. Graveside services will be held on April 7, 2026 at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville.

Why it matters

Southard's passing marks the loss of a local veteran and longtime community member in the small town of Slater, where he had lived since 2003 after moving from nearby Marshall. His life and service reflect the experiences of many Midwestern residents who served in the military and then pursued various blue-collar careers before retirement.

The details

Robert W. 'Corky' Southard was born on March 31, 1942 in Sedalia, Missouri to the late Richard L. and Rachel Plumb Southard. He is survived by two children, two brothers, and four sisters. Local relatives include his brothers Dennis Southard of Nelson and John Southard of rural Slater. Southard was preceded in death by a daughter, four sisters, and three brothers.

Southard passed away on March 29, 2026.
Graveside services will be held on April 7, 2026 at 2:00 P.M.

The players