Harold Andrew Vogel, age 88, died on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 in Bellevue, WA, of cardiac failure. He was born October 23, 1921 in Woodford, WI, the son of Adolph E. and Nina Olson Vogel. The family moved to Monroe when he was young. After graduating from Monroe High School in 1939, Hal attended Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL until 1941.
When WWII erupted, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and became a B-17 pilot. He successfully completed 35 missions over Germany and Northern Europe earning the Distinguished Flying Gross and other medals. Hal maintained a diary of his war experiences, "Briefing at Three" which can be viewed on the Distinguished Flying Cross Society-Northwest Chapter's web site, http://www.dfcsociety-nw.org/pages/storiesbymembers.htm
Hal worked mostly in management in the furniture springs manufacturing industry in Detroit, MI, London, Ont, and Seattle, WA. After retirement in 1987, Hal had the opportunity to pursue in earnest his many hobbies which included fishing, hunting, rock hounding, woodworking, bird and character carving, jewelry silversmithing, genealogy, and rabid stamp collecting. Hal, a true gentleman in every sense, was greatly respected and admired for his benevolent nature and his many talents and artistry and skills by all who knew him.
Hal was preceded in death by his dear wife of 55 years, Annette Bernadette Mayer Vogel of Detroit, MI. He is survived by his sisters, Dorothy Mae McGregor of Freeport, IL, and Lucille Rose Brown of Independence, MO; and his children, Patricia A. (William) Simmons of Bellevue and Robert H. (Elke) Vogel of Midland, Michigan. Grandchildren include Michael Wright, Colette (Mark) Hicks, Michelle (Arnold) Ewert, and Michael Simmons; and seven great-grandchildren.
Further information and a guest book are shared at www.bartonfuneral.com and search "Vogel." In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Group Health Foundation, Dept. 4194, P.O. Box 34936, Seattle, WA 98124-1936 or go to www.ghcfoundation.org.
When WWII erupted, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and became a B-17 pilot. He successfully completed 35 missions over Germany and Northern Europe earning the Distinguished Flying Gross and other medals. Hal maintained a diary of his war experiences, "Briefing at Three" which can be viewed on the Distinguished Flying Cross Society-Northwest Chapter's web site, http://www.dfcsociety-nw.org/pages/storiesbymembers.htm
Hal worked mostly in management in the furniture springs manufacturing industry in Detroit, MI, London, Ont, and Seattle, WA. After retirement in 1987, Hal had the opportunity to pursue in earnest his many hobbies which included fishing, hunting, rock hounding, woodworking, bird and character carving, jewelry silversmithing, genealogy, and rabid stamp collecting. Hal, a true gentleman in every sense, was greatly respected and admired for his benevolent nature and his many talents and artistry and skills by all who knew him.
Hal was preceded in death by his dear wife of 55 years, Annette Bernadette Mayer Vogel of Detroit, MI. He is survived by his sisters, Dorothy Mae McGregor of Freeport, IL, and Lucille Rose Brown of Independence, MO; and his children, Patricia A. (William) Simmons of Bellevue and Robert H. (Elke) Vogel of Midland, Michigan. Grandchildren include Michael Wright, Colette (Mark) Hicks, Michelle (Arnold) Ewert, and Michael Simmons; and seven great-grandchildren.
Further information and a guest book are shared at www.bartonfuneral.com and search "Vogel." In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Group Health Foundation, Dept. 4194, P.O. Box 34936, Seattle, WA 98124-1936 or go to www.ghcfoundation.org.