I was a student of his back in 1987. I remember him as the most brilliant and talented teacher that I ever had. He is missed.

I just discovered five minutes ago that Mr. Mogill has passed away, and for that entire five minutes I've been saying, "Oh no, oh no, oh no..."  I deeply, deeply regret not writing the letter I've been circulating in my head for the last five years, trying to tell him just how much his friendship and influence meant to me in my high school years and beyond.  As my physics teacher (two years), swim team coach, class advisor, and a challenging questioner, he was one of my largest life influences.

Teri and Zami, I mourn with you over the loss of your dad AND mom.  My sister had told me of both losses, and I was unfortunately at a major loss for words.  I respected your parents greatly.  Teri, it was great playing softball with you at the helm of your dad's coaching!  Zami, it's wonderful that you were able to be part of your dad's coaching/team that won at least regional (and state?).  I sure hope you are teaching the kids the sport!  (Mine didn't have much interest in it...)  It's been a LOT of years since I've seen any of you, but you have been in my prayers.  Zami, your kids are beautiful!  May your parents R.I.P., and may the Lord soften your mourning and grieving.  Stay close to one another.  You are their prodigy.

To Teri, Zami, and Families, and Zoe Ann,

   I was so blessed  to be able to visit with Tim every couple of weeks for the past three years.  Helen had hoped their connection to the UUBN Church in Bloomington would yield some support for Tim after she died.  I met Helen there, and I had served years before on  Tim's dissertation committee.  I always had enjoyed my conversations with Tim at ISU, where our talks had had an academic focus.
  
Now we were able to talk about anything we chose, and --whoa, what a range we covered in three years! It was so much fun.  We both looked forward to our lunches at the Imperial Buffet in Normal.  I heard many wonderful stories of his family and his years of teaching in Streator Township High School and then later in central-Illinois universities. 

 He SO loved each member of his family!  He was proud of each one of you and also of the relatives from whom you are descended. He so enjoyed reading on the Russian historical context of your family and sharing book suggestions and reflections with Zoe when they could visit by phone or in person.

    My deepest sympathies on your loss and wishing you comfort in your memories of Tim.   As I reflect now, I feel he has left you, and those of us who got to know him, many gifts--a multi-faceted legacy--and that includes his example of a life filled with conscientious work, curiosity and learning, and above all, love.

        Wishing you all the best,

As my high school physics teacher, Mr Mogill has been the most inspirational person I have come across in the course of my life.  His wit and ability to inspire is truly a gift he shared with so many.  Mr Mogill used repetition as a way to reinforce important points in the classroom.  Such phrases as "do not discriminate against zero" and so many others will live with me for the rest of my life.  God bless you Mr Mogill.

Although I made an entry here earlier.  I thought that I would add this memory as well:

I first saw the news on Facebook. One of my former teachers had passed away. Not just a teacher  my favorite teacher ever. Mr. Mogill was my Physics teacher in high school. I was in his class for just one year. But, what a year it was! I can still see him pacing back and forth in front of the classroom wearing a white shirt, sleeves partially rolled up, with his hands shoved deep into the chalk stained pockets of his black dress pants. Intelligence, humor and kindness were the tools he used to teach a classroom full of teenage know-it-alls. And teach us he did. Not only about physics, but about life. Mr. Mogill respected each of us and expected that we respect him in return. He also demanded 100% of our attention when he was in the midst of an important teaching moment. My most vivid memories happened at this time. With his back to the class while furiously writing on the chalkboard, Mr. Mogill's superpowers awakened. His all-seeing eyes in the back of his head would focus directly on the student paying the least attention to his lesson. Then, with a ninja-like quickness, Mr. Mogill would suddenly pivot, and what I can only describe as High Noon meets The Matrix  he would quick-draw a chalkboard erasure from his pocket and project it toward the hapless kid who was giving him no respect. SMACK-PUFF! Chalk dust filled the air and for one shocked student, the Mark of Mogill could be seen as a rectangular white powder outline dead center on their chest. How Mr. Mogill never missed the intended target and how others in the class were not victims of friendly fire is a physics lesson in itself. I remember thinking to myself, how could this old teacher be so quick and agile? Of course, I now realize that Mr. Mogill was only 29 years old when I was his student. He was just 12 years older than me at the time. 
I am sorry that I never made the time to personally thank Mr. Mogill for that magical year and for the life lessons he taught me. But, I can proudly say that, on more than one occasion, I went home with that chalk erasure outline on the front of my chest. More importantly, the true Mark of Mogill has been and will always be with me. Rest in Peace Mr. Mogill.

Thank you, everyone, for your outpouring of love and support.

Mr Mogill was my physics teacher. I'm not sure I learned physics, but he opened my mind to how the science worked. He was a fabulous teacher.
Ellen Anne Eddy
Streator, IL

My high school Physics teacher Streator High School, Class of '65.  A dedicated professional who had lifelong impact on my life.  One of my all time favorite teachers.  In high school I played in a dance band called "Music Murder, Inc."  Mr. Mogill wrote in my year book,"...You have murdered Physics as well as Music, Inc."  My condolences to his family.  I'm sure you'll miss him.

Please accept my sincere condolences at the death of your father, Zam.  He was a genuinely good person who cared deeply about the important people in his life.  Obviously, that includes the students who were privileged to have him as a teacher, but it also includes the many young women he coached, as well as people like me who coached against him.  It's cliche to say that he will be missed, but cliches exist because they express obvious truths.  I will always think about Tim and Zam as inextricably connected.  I loved coaching you, Zam, when you played for the Lady Hearts, because you inherited your father's passion for the game as well as his competitive spirit and the grace with which he always conducted himself.  Please know that you and everyone who loved and respected Tim are in my thoughts and my most fervent prayers.  I pray that you will draw strength from your family and friends as you work through your grief, and I pray that, in due time, every thought you have about Tim and about Helen will be warm and joyful memories as they were during the best and most vigorous moments of their lives.

I am so sorry to hear about your father's death.  I can still see him coming home for school with a smile on his face.  I know you will miss him and be comforted with the fact that his life touch so many in such a good way

Hands down one of my most favorite customers at the pharmacy. Always a smile and a loud "Hello Director" even when he didn't need to pick up a prescription. I was so happy to see the bond he made with Angel and will miss hearing his stories from the dog park. I'm sure Helen was waiting for him with open arms. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

To Zam and the rest of the Mogill family, my deepest sympathies. You will probably see this a lot but Mr. Mogill was my favorite teacher. I still read articles and watch programs about physics, chemistry and science because of Mr. Mogill. He was the brightest and the best and there's a special place in Heaven for him. I would say rest easy Mr. Mogill but that wasn't his style. He's probably building a new computer or filming something important in Heaven right now. Again, my deepest sympathies.

We will miss our neighbor Tim at Indian Creek.  He and Helen were a lovely couple.  They generously shared their "good eyes" that allowed them to take fantastic photos of our neighborhood.  Rest in peace, Tim.

Mr. Mogill was my favorite teacher at Streator High School. He made every day a "great big Bulldog Friday!" My condolences to his family.

Coach Mogill it was a pleasure having you as a teacher and coach. May you be  greeted  With open arms by your loved ones. A prayer of comfort for your family that you leave behind that they may feel your spirit and continue feel your love..

Some of my most vivid memories at Streator High School were of the time spent in Mr. Mogill's Physics class.  Not only did Mr. Mogill (for some reason I cannot call him Tim) teach me about physics, he also made me laugh and instilled in me the importance of taking time to enjoy life.  I can easily say that Mr. Mogill was my favorite teacher ever.  He will be missed but not forgotten.  RIP Mr. Mogill.
Rick "Spiff" Carner/SHS Class of 1969

Dear Mogill Family -- Our hearts go out to you at this difficult time.  Tim and Helen were warm, wonderful neighbors who will be sorely missed, and it has been heart-warming to watch Tim and Angel take care of each other since Helen's death.  We sincerely hope your own dear memories will help you heal. 

On behalf of the Van Dongen Family --

Tim, may you rest in peace! You have now joined Helen! Thank you for all the memories of watching you coach the girls softball team! Thank you most of all for your time and patience teaching Lisa " Squeak" Stimac to pitch. Always will have fond memories of you and days gone by.

OBITUARY

Alexis Timothy Mogill

January 24, 1939 – June 4, 2016

East Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

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