Hoyt was born in Beaver Falls, Beaver County, PA., the son of the late John Hoyte Bogard and Margaret Joan Smilek. Hoyt grew up in Chippewa Township, PA enjoying a typical western PA upbringing including sports, riding motorcycles, hunting, and ranging far and near around the neighborhood and adjoining woods with his brother and friends, often with their parents not knowing if they were in their neighbor’s backyard playing a game of pick-up football or 15-miles from home riding bikes or motorcycles.
Initially, Hoyt was an awesome and dedicated fan of his brother and sister and their Blackhawk Cougar women’s basketball and football/track exploits. Hoyt then developed into a talented athlete, in his own right, and played high school football, a member of one of the first Cougar teams to advance to the WPIAL play-offs. Hoyt earned many accolades including MAC “AAA” All-Star, PA “Big 33” All-Star and earning a football scholarship to N.C. State University “Wolfpack” in Raleigh, NC.
Enjoying a burgeoning football career as an up and coming “Wolfpack” player, Hoyt found college academics not to his liking and returned home to PA. Always good with people, artistic and good working with is hands, it is in western PA where Hoyt found his true calling. Hoyt attended and received his technical Certificate of Training from Harmarville Technical Institute and first moved to Charleston, SC, Hyannis Port, MA and finally Columbia, SC embarking on a 40+ year Orthotic/Prosthetic career. Hoyt’s unique and oftentimes indescribable ability to connect with patients, their doctors, families, and co-workers allowed him to use his talents to design and build well-fitting and life affirming artificial limbs, orthopedic braces, and orthotics. But, most importantly, Hoyt had a true gift to provide compassionate care that brought real comfort to each patient and their families, more often than not, during a vulnerable time in their lives where they often had to overcome birth defects or traumatic injuries throughout their recovery.
A friend to many and a stranger to none, Hoyt used his gifts to make a true difference in the world one patient at a time and to build a large and varied group of lifelong friends.
Survivors include his sister, Cheryl Ann Bogard Kyle (Larry), Aiken, SC; brother, Brian John Bogard (Beth), Pasadena, MD; nephews, Matthew G. Kyle (Anne Elizabeth), Tokyo, Japan, Barrett J. Bogard and Braxton L. Bogard, Pasadena, MD and grandnephew, Gabriel G. Kyle and grandniece, Izabella Anne Kyle, Tokyo, Japan.
In addition to his beloved parents, Hoyt was preceded in death by his former wife, Wendy Rae Brown Bogard, Batesburg, SC.
A private family service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel. The service may be viewed via livestream on Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel’s Facebook page.
In lieu of memorial contributions or flowers, please consider donating, in memory of Kenneth “Hoyt” Bogard, to the charity of your choice. Thank you.
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