Frank Cecil Thomas Vogt, a husband, father, grandfather and US Army veteran, left this world and entered the next on Friday, September 27, 2024. He was 94 years old and is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary, his children, daughter Julie Vogt of Hermosa Beach, daughter Diana and husband Tom Weber of Livingstone, Montana, and son Tom and wife Noelle Vogt of Chino Hills. He also leaves behind 5 grandchildren: Sarah, Michael, and Sydney Weber; and Rita and Isaiah Vogt; along with second cousin Rolf and wife Anna Vogt of Switzerland.
Frank was born on February 1, 1930 in Los Angeles, the only child of Otto Hugo and Emma Vogt who met in the US after immigrating from Switzerland and Germany respectively.
Hugo’s death in 1933 left a parenting void which Emma’s mother filled, and the two German women raised him in a strict household expecting for him to become an engineer.
Frank’s childhood was filled with adventures of visiting his Aunt Rose and her German shepherds in North Hollywood, taking the Pacific Electric Red Car to Saturday matinees, earning merit badges as a boy scout, and hanging out with the neighborhood boys who became his lifelong companions. His greatest childhood adventure, though, was spending afternoons and weekends restoring the decrepit Ford Model A of his best friend Ray Nelson.
It is a memory he loved to share.
Upon graduating from Dorsey High School and a brief stint at LA Trade Tech, Frank headed up the coast to take advantage of the free tuition at UC Santa Barbara where he pledged Sigma Chi and majored in industrial arts.
After college, job opportunities were plentiful in the post-war economy, and steered Frank in the direction of the burgeoning computer and electronics field. Being drafted into the Army furthered his experience in this area and also gave him his first visit to Europe where he was stationed in Germany. During his leaves, he was able to become acquainted for the first time with members of his father’s family including his cousin Kurt Vogt, whose son Rolf remained close through visits both at home and abroad.
Frank tried his hand at teaching following his discharge and landed a job as a wood shop teacher at Flavian School in Torrance, CA. He enjoyed socializing with the young staff, which included an attractive, outgoing home economics teacher who evidently needed a ride to work.
Frank started picking Mary up in his convertible MG, making sure to have a scarf handy to protect her hair.
Those rides, along with the post-PTA meeting happy hours led to an eventual marriage proposal and the couple wed on June 24, 1961.
Frank made the unorthodox move of quitting his job prior to the wedding in order to facilitate a five week honeymoon, driving from LA to New York where they took in Niagara Falls and Broadway plays before heading to the US Virgin Islands. So began a lifetime of travel that saw the couple visiting every continent, every US presidential library, and many National Parks.
Upon their return, Frank found work in the computer field, eventually landing at McDonnell-Douglas where he remained until his retirement, and started building his family. Julie came first in 1962 followed very quickly by Diana in 1963. After a brief lapse, Tom completed the picture in 1966. Frank was a devoted father, and always found a place to participate in whatever his children were involved with at the time–sports, scouting, or musical/drama performances.
Frank had an active retirement. In addition to extensive traveling, he also became a docent at the South Coast Botanic Gardens and a master gardener. The highlight, though, was serving on the Palos Verdes Estates Parkland commission where he was known as the resident tree hugger.
Those he left behind will miss his smile, the sparkle in his blue eyes, and the time he always had available for a conversation. We are assured, though, that he has been welcomed into his eternal rest by his Heavenly Father.
A memorial will be held for Frank on Monday, October 14 at Rolling Hills Covenant Church at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Love INC SB, PO Box 6442, San Pedro, CA.