Robert “Grandpa Bob” Lee Vogelgesang
Dec. 7, 1933 – June 23, 2020
LYNDON — Robert “Grandpa Bob” Lee Vogelgesang died June 23rd, 2020. He was 86.
Bob was born in Dec. 7, 1933, in Milford, the son of Walter and Mae (Budden) Vogelgesang and had a brother, Jon Vogelgesang, all of whom preceded him in death.
Bob graduated from Haven High School in 1951 and loved attending Haven’s all school reunions for over 65 years.
He spent his entire professional career with Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company beginning in 1952. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served from 1954 to 1956, earning a Good Conduct Medal and Army of Occupation Medal in Germany. He returned to Panhandle Eastern, relocating every four years when a new opportunity arose, advancing through study and hard work and retired as an area supervisor in 1988.
In 1963, Bob met and married, Anna Jo Cochran and adopted a daughter, SueAnn. Anna Jo died in 1982. In 1984, Bob married his grade school sweetheart, Elinor Joyce “Jo” Williams She died in 2007. In 2010, Bob returned to Kansas to live with SueAnn and Greg on the farm, where he enjoyed watching his hummingbirds and taking care of Lizzie, the farm border collie. He spent his winters in Arizona with family.
Bob is survived by five children, SueAnn Vogelgesang Schultz (Greg) and John Kirk (Wendy) who are currently serving as missionaries in Niger, Jim Kirk (Sarah), Diane Norris and Karen Irby (Tom); grandchildren, Garrett Schultz (Morgan), Corey Schultz (Kayleen, Justin Kirk (Ashley), Jared Kirk (Emily), Captain Cory Kirk, Captain Nolan Kirk, James Norris (Sarah), Hannah Norris and Sarah Norris; and great-grandchildren Mila Mae, Daisy Babe, Della Sue, Hayden, William, Jacob, Killian, Sullivan, Avelynn, Emery, James, Harper Jo and Oliver.
As Bob wished, cremation is planned and a private family burial service will be held at a later date where his ashes will be placed with the loves of his life, Anna Jo and Elinor Jo.
Memorial contribution may be considered for Haven High School Alumni Association at www.havenhighalumni.org or Stormont Vail Foundation at www.stormontvail.org/give/donate.
Online condolences for the family may be left at feltnerfuneralhome.com.
