John F. Vogelman

John F. Vogelman, 90, died Thursday, July 21, 2016. Born in Harrowgate Northeast Philadelphia, July 25, 1925.  He graduated from North Catholic in 1943 and from Villanova University with a BS in Electrical Engineering in 1949.  

Mr. Vogelman served as a machine gunner in the 86th “Black Hawk” Infantry Division in both the European and Pacific theatres earning the Bronze Star, the European Theatre Medal with two battle stars, the Infantry Badge and the Good Conduct Medal.  He was on a flotilla to invade Japan when President Truman dropped the bomb on Hiroshima. While on furlough between the two theatres, he met his wife Kathleen. “I was looking up a friend, Percy Healing. I went over to his house, and who answers the door but a blonde with a dimple in her cheek. I was hooked immediately.” 

The couple married in 1949 and spent many years in Drexel Hill while John pursued his electrical engineering career with General Electric. His 35 year career culminated as Director of Engineering at the Salisbury NC switchgear plant.  He also worked as the chapter chairman of the Elfun Society, a charitable GE organization.  He remained close to GE and performed as the President of the GE Retirees Club in the Philadelphia area.  

He was very active in his retirement. An investor and shareholder in Digital Elevator, Inc., he served as Chairman of the Board from 1991 to 1994. As a parishioner at St. Bernadette, Mr. Vogelman participated on the Finance Committee and as an acolyte, receiving the Man of the Year Award in 1997 from the Holy Name Society. He loved to sing in the choir and participated in many St. Bernadette Players’ musicals. 

For ten years, he was the Treasurer for the Black Hawk Division Association which awarded him the Blackhawk Warrior Award in 2002. The highlight of his tenure occurred in 2000, when its 45 members and their families travelled to Germany to retrace their (Company 342) steps along with Companies 343 and 344. All three companies had fought to take the railroad bridge at Ramagen. Mr. Vogelman, however, remained reticent and humble about the war, saying “the real heroes are over there under the white crosses.”

Surviving are his sons, Stephen (Peggy Ann), Gregory (Susan) and Andrew (Suzanne) and a daughter Patrice (Jack), ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren living in Chicago, NYC, Boston and Los Angeles. 

Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Mass Wednesday, July 27, at St. Bernadette of Lourdes Church, 1035 Turner Ave., Drexel Hill at 10:30 AM.  Calling hours at 9:30 AM in the church prior to mass.   Interment private.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Alzheimer Association (in memory of Kathleen), 339 Market St., Suite 102, Phila. PA 19106.