Neal Lamar Vogt

Neal was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Ken, Norm and Bob, and sister Lois, and is survived by sister Betty Ollar and brother Bruce Vogt. Other survivors include son Jim and his wife, Shirley, Auburn, WA: son Bill and his wife, Eileen, Freeland, WA; son Richard and his husband, David Taylor, Little Falls, NY; daughter Nancy and her partner, Bob Patton, Gowrie, IA; four grandchildren, Megan Kilner and her husband, Phil; Alex Vogt; Adam Vogt and his fiancee, Megan Alexander; Amy Vogt; great-granddaughter Madeline Kilner; other relatives and friends.

Neal remained in the northeastern area of Ohio area through high school. He excelled in football, basketball and track, and was elected class president during his senior year in high school. After graduating in 1943, Neal enlisted in the U.S. Navy and began training as a naval aviator. As part of his training, he attended several universities and played football for Illinois State Normal. World War II ended before he completed his flight training. He was discharged and subsequently enrolled in The Ohio State University and studied airline management. While at Ohio State, he met and married Mary Chambers from Coshocton, Ohio.

His career in the airline business began in 1947 when he held an internship position with Capital Airlines in Pellston, Michigan, where even the summers were extremely cold. After graduating in 1948, he accepted a full time position with Capital Airlines, and he and Mary moved to Charleston, West Virginia. Their first home was a cinder block house in Coonskin Hollow. Their oldest son (Jim) was born there. He was transferred to Elmira, New York in 1949 and the growing family lived there until 1954. They lived in Horseheads, and their second and third sons (Bill and Richard) were born in Elmira. He was transferred again and promoted to Station Manager at Tri-Cities airport (Midland-Bay City-Saginaw, Michigan), so the family moved to Freeland, Michigan, where they remained until 1971. During this time, Capital Airlines merged with United Airlines, so his new employer was now United Airlines. Their only daughter (Nancy) was born there.

While in Freeland, Neal enjoyed hunting and fishing and participated in many activities involving his children. He also was elected president of the school board and was very active with the First Methodist Church. In 1968, they purchased a lakefront lot on Higgins Lake and built a cabin. This property was a special place for the family and was used extensively during all seasons of the year. In 1971, Neal was transferred again; this time to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was Assistant to the Regional Vice President. They remained there only until 1972 when he was offered the position of Station Manager in Pittsburgh. They remained there until 1983 when he was transferred to United's headquarters in Chicago and held the position of Regional Station Manager.

He retired in 1985. He and Mary remodeled the cabin on Higgins Lake and had many enjoyable years there. They were active members of the Congregational Church in Roscommon, Michigan. Neal also was very active with the Higgins Lake Foundation. Neal enjoyed fishing, hunting and golf. He and Mary traveled frequently around the country to visit their children and grandchildren. Neal and Mary celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1997. Their children organized a celebration event in the Seattle area that lasted several days and included many friends and relatives. A good time was had by all. After a long battle with cancer, Mary passed away in 1999. Her presence was deeply missed by Neal and the rest of the family.

Eventually Neal developed a relationship with Higgins Lake resident Nancy Torkelson, who also had lost her spouse to cancer. They spent summers at the lake, winters in Midland, Michigan, and traveled around the country.

Neal was having health problems and decided to move to the Seattle area in 2008 to be near his two sons that lived in the area. He resided in the Wesley Homes retirement facility in Auburn, Washington, for over three years. He enjoyed the company of the residents and the staff. A memorial service for Neal will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 1, 2012 at Wesley Homes-Lea Hill, Auburn, WA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Neal Vogt's name may be sent to The Higgins Lake Foundation at P.O. Box 753

Roscommon, MI 48653