Richard Daniel Vogel

Services for my dad will be limited to 10. I've decided to post a eulogy
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Richard Daniel Vogel
Son, Sibling, Husband, Father, Papa, Master Roofer, Boss, Golfer, Card Shark, Fighter, Companion, Mentor, Coach, Favorite Uncle, Protector, Dog Lover, Fan
Friend.
Dad was one of a kind. Everybody who knew him has a story (or 12) from the list above. Stories so large that the tales have traveled from group to group.
Youngest child to Rachel and Dan
Sibling to 7, survived by Reta Hunter
Husband to Ann
Father to Lori, Michelle, and Daniel
Papa to Danielle
Father in law to Gary Kluksdahl, and Patti Miles-Vogel
Master Roofer to Colorado
Boss on the roof
Golf partner with many who won...A LOT
Card Shark to those who lost...A LOT
Fighter to those who also lost...A LOT
Companion to Arlene McDonald and her family who embraced him and loved him so much
Coach, sponsor, and youth league leader to Hundreds of ball players from southwest Denver
Mentor to those away from field
Protector of family and friends
Dog lover which he passed on to us. He loved Molly and Thumper and more recently, Stella
Fan of sports
A bigger Fan of Lori
Work hard and play harder is a phrase that this man should have trademarked. Every story of Dick is born from this way of life. Everything he did, he did it a little more. I t was very beneficial to have Dick on your side. Generosity is an extremely common thread in many of the stories. Dad did many things for many people, all from deep love, respect, and leadership that was rarely audible but always present. He leaves behind a literal legacy. A life so unique, that the tales will continue to be told. Some will grow, but no matter how BIG FISH the tales get, few will ever doubt them.
Dad succumbed to cancer, but the fight wasn't fair. He broke his right arm early on in the treatment. Cancer never had to deal with that right hook of his. Cancer wasn't going to be taken to school on the golf course. The break was not treatable and the pain prevented dad from doing what he loved. Going out to eat and movies with Arlene. And golfing. Dad shot his age (82) the last time he was able to play 18 holes. He had 9 hole in ones, but he said "They were all shitty shots." Four of those aces came on #8 at Overland Golf Course, where his deep pool of friends gathered. At the initial meeting with the Oncologist, I told the doctor that as long as golf is possible to play at a high level, "Cancer has no chance. He has no interest in beating just his friends, he beats me an my friends as well."
Dad grew up in West Denver where he met Ann. She was the girl that he couldn't get, along with the plethora of girls who chased after him. A james Dean type. When he finally caught Ann at a weak moment, they danced. And oh man, could they dance! I saw a dance floor clear out at VFW hall in 1974 when they got it going. His family and friends that saw them in their prime said it was American Bandstand live in West Denver. Dad took his act world wide on the USS Lexington aircraft carrier. They docked in Japan, mostly. The bars there found verified weekly that this sailor was good for 3 to 4. That means 3 to 4 Marines at at time in a brawl.
He married Ann in 1958, who proceeded Dick in death in 2007. They had Lori in 1960, Michelle in 1962 and Danny in 1967. Dad re joined his father in the roofing business and bartended after returning to Denver. He roofed from the age of 6 and never stopped. Literally a lifetime of experience. he passed the skill on to many. Some became inspectors. Some started their own business, and he was always there to help them. Others learned the roof was not a place for them and got very good at something else, fast! Dad always bragged that Lori was the best labor he had ever had on the roof. A Vogel has never been afraid of 12 hours of hard labor. He woke me up when I was 10 one Saturday morning. We went to a diner with counter service. He said that was where working men ate. The real lesson was when he pointed out that his friend behind the counter pouring the coffee...was blind. He said there are no barriers a hard working person can't overcome. Then we went and chalk lined 4 baseball fields for play that day. No other parent, player, or person was there. Just dad preparing Garfield Park and Kepner Jr high for the community kids to play on that day.
Work hard.
Play harder.
A life lived to the maximum.
The memories will never fade. Thank you Dad.
 A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, March 04, 2021 at Stork-Bullock Family Funeral Home beginning at 10:00am. A private graveside service will take place at Fort Logan National Cemetery.

A reception will be held at The Elks Club
3690 S Jason ST Englewood, CO 80110    1-3 PM
 

The family has requested donations to
The Denver Hospice 8289 Lowry Blvd
Denver CO 80230
and
Denver West High School Athletics Dept
951 Elati St
Denver CO 80204