Alvin Vogel

Alvin Lester Vogel went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 5, 2017, at the age of 89. Al was born on October 7, 1927 in a farmhouse outside of Benson, IL to Aloys and Julia Linneman Vogel. He was the fourth of seven children.

Al was drafted in March of 1946 at the end of World War II. He was in artillery basic training during this time. Al chose to volunteer after the end of the war and became a Paratrooper. He was assigned to the 376th Parachute Artillery Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division. After being discharged from active duty, Al became part of the inactive reserves. He returned to active duty in September 1950 to serve in the Korean Police Action. While in Korea, he was assigned to the 55th Signal Repair Company where he repaired radios and transmitters for field troops. Al even had a chance to work on a captured Russian radio.

Al loved working with his hands and spent time during his youth and military days fixing radios and TVs. He worked at GE doing instrument repair and calibrations. During his time at GE, Al was convinced by the engineers to enroll in the University of Illinois. He graduated in December 1969, thirteen years after he started. Al was very proud that he completed his degree even though it took an extended period.

In September 1958, he married Bernadette Buck. They moved to Texas is 1960 and settled in Austin in 1978. They have eleven children: Anastasia, Howard, David, Anthony, Richard, Annette, Mary, Ann, Andrew, Jonathan, and Christopher. Al was very active with the Boy Scouts of America. He was involved in starting several Cub Scout Packs and Boy Scout Troops – including Troop 159 at St. Thomas More. The clan enjoyed spending time camping and traveling to see extended family. Al worked at Texas Instruments until he retired. Afterwards, he had many odd jobs at home improvement stores and electronics companies to keep himself busy.

On April 8, 1995, Al married Catherine Trautman. Together, they spent time traveling to see children, grandchildren, and other family members. Al loved to tend his roses outside their home in Lago Vista. After their move to Round Rock, Al and Cathy spent their time with friends from their retirement group. Al was always on the look-out for a great desert.

Al will always be remembered for his beautiful wood-working skills – rocking horses for his grandchildren, the great round dinner table, and the gorgeous cabinets. He will also be remembered as the family’s “Paparazzi”. Al always had his camera. He left us with thousands of photos capturing many moments of our lives – welding in the backyard on Mossy Bark, snow in Central Texas, weddings, children, grandchildren, and lots of family.

Al is preceded in death by his father – Aloys Vogel, mother – Julia Linneman Vogel, brother – Howard Vogel, sister – Mary Vogel, infant daughter – Mary Lois Vogel, and grandson – Ryan Hinojosa.

Al is survived by his wife - Catherine Trautman Vogel of Round Rock, TX; brothers – Fred Vogel of Vancouver, WA, Gilbert Vogel of El Paso, IL, Loren Vogel of The Woodlands, TX, and Frank Vogel of Newton, IA; children – Anastasia Hinojosa of San Antonio, TX, Howard and Kena Vogel of Guthrie, OK, David and Sally Vogel of Lago Vista, Anthony and Kia Vogel of Council Bluffs, IA, Richard and Sylvia Vogel of Hurst, TX, Annette and Bruce Vandervort of Bloomington, IL, Ann Vogel of Austin, TX, Andrew and Tamara Vogel of Cedar Park, TX, Jonathan Vogel of Medford, OR, and Christopher Vogel of De Soto, TX; step-children – Tracey and Tim Lenz of Round Rock, TX, Laura and Patrick Bitzel of Columbia City, IN, and Rick Trautman of Red Oak, TX; 34 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Mass will be held Monday, February 13, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 10205 N FM 620

Austin, TX 78726.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Brianna’s Pennies of Love, 2709 Sabinal Trail, Cedar Park, TX 78613, www.penniesoflove.org .

Please join us in remembering Mr. Alvin Vogel by visiting our Memorial at www.cookwaldenchapelofthehills.com. Through this site, we invite you to share your thoughts and fond memories with our family.