Robert C. "Bob" Hogan

Bob was born August 3, 1945, in Springfield, the son of Virgil L. Harvell and Rosemary McGavick Moore.

He attended Feitshans High School where he was active in the Key Club, the choir, and treasurer of the Student Council. Bob excelled at both varsity football and baseball, lettering in football. He was one of two African American students who were the first to be cast in meaningful roles in the play Our Town. Bob played college football at Western Illinois University where he met and married Alberta Barauski. They transferred to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, later settling and raising a family in Springfield.

Bob was always interested in business. He owned his own company in the late 1970s and early 80s. He worked for Franklin Life Insurance where he was top sales earner. Bob was appointed and served as director of Community Development, under Mayor Ossie Langfelder and Governor Jim Thompson. Due to failing health, he retired from Comcast and moved to Colorado.

Bob was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Bears and Chicago Bulls. Bob became a Denver Broncos fan, except when they played the Bears, enjoying seeing Payton Manning play. He attended many Fighting Illini and Northwestern football and basketball games. Bob enjoyed helping young people achieve their goals and coached youth football and baseball teams as well as his daughter’s softball team in his spare team. He was a supportive and loving father, always believing his daughter could achieve success. He once bought her a t-shirt that said, “A woman’s place is in the house and the senate.” Bob was also a doting grandfather to his daughter’s four-legged kiddos.

As his health declined and life presented him with losses and difficulties, Bob remained optimistic and continued to help others by sending cards and bringing meals to his peers. He strived to live his life to the fullest and experienced much of Colorado, enjoying the mountains and cultural offerings. Bob also continued to attend Catholic services weekly and enjoyed fellowship with his congregation.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Jennifer Harvell, Janice Hogan Soulet, and Susan Hogan Lewis, as well as four-legged grandbabies, Gracie and Lily.

He is survived by his daughter, Natalie Hogan, M.D. of Denver, Colorado; siblings, Carmelita Hogan-Washington, Harlan Hogan, Jr., Janice Witt, Diane Harvell, Patty Harvell, and Dennis Harvell, as well as his four-legged grandbaby, Harley; and his many nieces and nephews.

Cremation occurred in Denver, Colorado.

Memorial Ceremony and Gathering: 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 31, 2021, at Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, with Harlan Hogan, Jr. officiating. Family will receive friends following the ceremony until 4:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the NAACP of Springfield, P.O. Box 3002, Springfield, IL 62708.