William Albert Vogel

Colonel, USAF, Retired

On the morning of Monday October 14, 2024, William “Bill” Albert Vogel, passed peacefully in his home of 46 years with his loving wife of 36 years, Sonja (Opperman), by his side. Preceded in death by his parents William Alfred Vogel and Martha Stehman Vogel and first wife, Marianne (Schwalb) Vogel, siblings Frederick Vogel, Richard Vogel, and Mary Vogel Farley. Our beloved “Uncle Bill” as he was known by so many, leaves behind a loving legacy and caring family including Sonja; stepchildren Marie Skolnick (Curtis), Paul Patrick, and Wendy Griffith (Brian); four step-grandchildren Annika and Olivia Griffith and Jason and Sara Skolnick; and numerous nieces and nephews including Fred Vogel (Mary), Harry Vogel, Martha Taishoff (late-Brad), Patty Vogel (John), Bill Vogel (Patti), David Vogel (Jill), Frank Farley (Jeanine), John Farley (Olga), Patrick Farley (Janet), Mike Farley (Mimi), Michael Browning (Michiyo), cousins Daniel Edwards (Terry), Holly Edwards (Jeff); Bill, Carolyn, and Glenn Engle; son Scott Hering (Sandy), and their children Chase and Kylie Hering.

Bill led an accomplished and full life over his 98 years. Born in Washington, DC on July 9, 1926, Bill graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1945. He attended The University of Maryland and in 1951 earned a Civil Engineering degree and went on to earn both a Masters Degree in Physics from Johns Hopkins University and a degree in Meteorology from Penn State University.

Bill achieved the rank of Colonel in the United States Air Force (USAF) as a non-pilot reflecting his level of service and dedication. Bill received the decoration of Bronze Star during his active duty in Vietnam for his meritorious service as the Commander of Detachment 36, 30th Weather Squadron in 1968 and 1969. The list of Bill’s military related and professional accomplishments is extraordinary and led to a life of good friends and great stories. His service to our country included active duty, reserve, and civilian duty from 1944 – 1996.

• 1944-1945 Army Air Corp Cadet

• 1945-1946 Enlisted Army Air Corp (Naples, Italy)

• 1946-1951 University of MD (Civil Engineering Degree)

• 1951-1952 Boston-Foster Wheeler Corporation - Field Engineer, Oil Refineries

• 1952-1953 Active duty in Air Force (Penn State Meteorology Degree)

• 1954-1957 Stationed in Germany 3 years. France 1 year as Weather Officer

• 1957-1960 Active Duty at Bolling AFB as Weather Officer

• 1963-1975 DC Air National Guard (Commander of Weather Flight)

• 1975-1977 Indiana National Guard, Colonel, State Headquarters, Staff Weather Officer

• 1960-1966 NOL (Naval Ordinance Laboratory), White Oak, MD, Underwater Weapons Engineer

• 1966-1967 STAG (Army) Strategy Tactics Analysis Group

• 1967-1973 Navy - David Taylor Model Basin, Research Analyst

• 1968-1969 Active duty, USAF, in Vietnam (Received Bronze Star), Weather Station Commander

• 1973-1979 NAVFAC - Ocean Engineering Project at Navy Yard

• 1977-1980 Air Force Reserves, Disaster Relief, FEMA

• 1979-1993 VITRO (NAVSEA), Submarine Task Group

• 1993-1996 GPS (NAVSEA), Submarine Task Group

Bill retired in 1996 and never slowed down. Bill and Sonja travelled the world with frequent trips in the United States to towns like Helen, GA, and Massanutten, VA with dear friends and internationally to Germany and other parts of Europe to visit with friends and relatives. Bill was a member of the Arminius Masonic Lodge #25 in Takoma Park, a member of numerous German-American organizations in Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD, and a member of multiple State Societies. Bill was a fixture on the campus of the University of Maryland and all but established residence in Cole Field House and Byrd Stadium to cheer on his beloved Terps and sing along with the Maryland fight song. He often travelled down Tobacco Road to root on the basketball team during the ACC Tournament. An avid sports fan with incredible recall for any game, any play, or any statistic, when he wasn’t at a game, you could be sure he would be tuned in on the radio or TV to cheer on the Terps and Baltimore Orioles while the next day, with anyone he knew, regaling in victory or commiserating in defeat. The only things Bill loved more were his family and friends.

Bill was as an authentic a person as this world has known. He never knew a stranger and made friends with ease. He was always up for a good story, a good meal, a good joke, a lively discussion on political events, and a good old-fashioned sing-along. Proud of his German heritage, he had a love for German food, beer, and music. When surrounded by friends, family and pets, he was always at peace and never in a better mood. Bill and Sonja’s backyard July 4th picnics, holiday gatherings, and parties are the stuff of legend with each including a bounty of cold drinks, grilled bratwurst, and dozens of pot-luck dishes and desserts. All you needed to do was follow the sounds of laughter to his home in Columbia or to the farmhouse in Howard County to join in on the fun.

A memorial service and funeral will be held Saturday November 16, 2024 at 9:30 am at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home located at 11800 New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring, MD 20904. Early lunch and a celebration of Bill’s life to immediately follow the service. At 12:30 pm, family and friends will leave to travel and meet at Rock Creek Cemetery. Please use the Allison Street gate (not the main gate), using 100 Allison Street NW, Washington, DC, 20011

Bill loved his four-legged family, and they loved him right back. Throughout the years he had a backyard menagerie of adopted dogs and cats, was visited by family pets, and in later years he had the steady companionship of dogs Dixie and Daisy. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Bill’s memory, to an animal rescue or shelter of your choice.