William H. Vogel

EXETER, NH – Mr. William H. Vogel, 86, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 11th, 2023. Born in New York, NY, he was the son of the late Wilhelm George Otto and Johanna Louise (Nordmann) Vogel. Beloved husband of the late Gertrude (Boyle) Vogel, with whom he celebrated 46 years of marriage.

A devoted father of five and affectionately known as Opa to eleven grandchildren, he is survived by three daughters: Louise and James Greaney and their two children, Christopher and his wife Abby, and Katherine (Katie) of Chapel Hill, NC; Elizabeth and Dean Mancini and their two children, Eileen (Nell) and William of Groton, MA; Eileen and Michael Hackney and their three children, Elizabeth, Nicholas, and John of Groton, MA; and two sons: John and Kristen Vogel and their two children, Sarah and Anne (Annie) of Swampscott, MA; Paul and Justine Vogel and their two children, Meghan and Jessica (Jessie) of Hampton, N.H. He is preceded in death by his brother, Reinhold P. Vogel of Greenwich, CT.

Born and educated in New York, Bill attended Stuyvesant High School before earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from The City College of New York and his Master's in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Bill started his engineering career with Pratt & Whitney Aircraft engines, in Hartford, CT. This is where he met the love of his life, Gertrude Boyle. Together, they started their family in Bolton, CT, where all 5 kids were born. In 1977, Bill made a career move to GE Aircraft Engines as a section manager for Life Analysis and Hot parts- making sure jet engine components were designed for the harsh conditions they are exposed to while in use. Bill managed that group for 25 years until he retired in 2002. He was a long-standing member of the Professional Engineer Association, and the GE ELFUN Society.

Retiring to Riverwoods in Exeter, Bill enjoyed participating on various committees and was particularly proud of his work with the Trails Committee. He also served as a board member of the Central Food Ministries in Lowell, MA. He enjoyed spending time with his family, and in true engineer fashion was a tinkerer. He loved fixing cars and working on the house. He was a huge influence on his sons, who have continued his handyman ways.

Bill’s faith has always been a guiding light for him. He was a long time member at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Topsfield, MA where he served on several different boards. After moving to Exeter, NH, Bill continued to make the drive to Topsfield to stay involved at Our Savior. In his later years, he joined Christ Church in Exeter where he attended services every Sunday, despite the many challenges he was experiencing physically.

The Vogel family would like to thank all of the staff at Riverwoods at Exeter for their superb care and constant devotion to his well-being during these last few years.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral service held at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 478 Boston St, Topsfield, Friday, September 22nd at 11:30 AM. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, 175 Broadway, Malden. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Bill’s memory to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (https://www.michaeljfox.org/). Assisting the family with arrangements is O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 167 Maple St., (Rte 62) DANVERS.

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