Eugene Gilbert Vogel

Eugene Gilbert "Gene" Vogel passed away on July 10, 2011, in Gilbert, Arizona. He was 91 years old. Gene was born on September 29, 1919, in St. Louis, Missouri to Gilbert and Marie Vogel, who later homesteaded in Fairplay, Colorado. He was preceded in passing by his parents, Gil and Marie, and his sister Violet Peak. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary; two sisters, Betty Ellis of Omaha, Nebraska, and Hazel Pearsal of Norfolk, Virginia; daughters Jeanne Ellis (Bill) of Dunnellon, Florida, Sandy Cardillo (David) of Gilbert, Arizona, Judy Stephensen (Lance) of Boise, Idaho, and his son Bert Vogel (Barbara Ellen) of Long Island, New York. Gene has five grandchildren, Stacy, Jill, John, Austen, and Spenser, and five great-grandchildren, Jamie, Rylee, Skylar, Haley, and his "best friend", Nolan. Gene was a decorated Air Force Major who served in World War II and Korea. He piloted paratroopers into battle over Normandy on D-Day, and served as an Operations Officer during the Korean War. Gene was extremely proud of his service to his country, and he kept in touch with many of his fellow veterans for years after the war. After his discharge from the military, Gene returned to Colorado to raise his family. He retired at an early age from Civil Service where he worked with Martin-Marietta in the development of missile systems. That job leads him to a small start-up company that would later become N.A.S.A. After retiring, Gene became an active member of N.A.R.F.E. He loved puttering in his workshop, camping in his numerous trailers and motor homes, and square dancing all across the country with his wife Mary. He was an avid reader, guitar player, and a gentleman who enjoyed his daily “Happy Hour”. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him. Gene will be laid to rest in Veterans Memorial Cemetery with full military honors. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July14, 2011, at 2:30 PM Green Acres Chapel of Light, 401 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale. Anyone wishing to make a contribution in Gene’s name may do so to The Lund Family Hospice Home, 1982 E. Woodside Ct., Gilbert, AZ 85297.