Allen J. Vogt

Allen "Al" J. Vogt, 68, Cook, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, August 31st, at the Solvay Hospice House in Duluth.

Al was born in Glencoe, Minnesota on April 23, 1949, the oldest of three in a proud German family. He graduated from Glencoe High School in 1967, and from there went on to the University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus, in the School of Conservation. While dating four women at one time, he met the love of his life, Beryl Ann, who quickly brought that debacle to an end. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the height of the Vietnam War while maintaining a long-distance love affair with Beryl. They married October 30, 1971, and Beryl joined him while he served at Camp Pendleton as a ground radio and crypto repairman until he was honorably discharged in January 1973.

While in California, Al began another life-changing relationship. He was taken by his wife, against his wishes, to a Campus Crusade retreat in Hemet. It was there that he came to know Jesus Christ as his personal savior and began his life-long pursuit of serving his Lord.

Al was a man of perseverance, passion, and hard work. After the service, he and Beryl returned to Minnesota where he began working at Sperry-Univac in applied physics research. He returned to school to earn his laboratory technician certification, which set him on a path in healthcare that would last 40 years. He, Beryl, and infant daughter Amanda moved to Cook where he worked as a registered lab technologist. Over the next years, he worked full-time while earning a BA in Healthcare Administration and raising a family of three young children, Amanda, Gabriel, and Matthew. From 1976-1988, he grew in leadership, becoming CEO of the hospital and Convalescent and Nursing Care Unit in 1989.

During his tenure, he directed the hospital with a keen administrative vision that was paralleled only by his love and tenderness towards the employees and patients who relied on Cook Hospital. Al oversaw four major construction projects, including a new hospital building, ER, the expansion of the physical therapy department, and the renovation of the kitchen and dining services. At the same time, he made a point to know as many residents and staff in a personal and meaningful way as possible. As part of his morning rounds, he would visit nursing home residents, often sharing a cup of coffee or a game of cards. He never considered it his job; he considered it his ministry.

Al was a champion of rural healthcare, helping to organize smaller hospitals around the region to reach highest levels of care, including access to technology and cutting edge best practices. He served on numerous boards and was committed to giving his best mind to the causes that mattered to him.

His love of music earned him the John Phillips Sousa award and drum major status in high school, as well as first chair trombone in the University of Minnesota Marching Band. Most notably was the way he used his musical talents in voice and guitar in the service of his faith, including in the Chappo Chapel at Camp Pendleton, as well as over 40 years of musical ministry, often with Beryl and their close friend, Betty Dunn as Praise Three. He composed several of his own original pieces and used them to share his deep gratitude for the nearness of God in the complex chapters of life.

Al taught his children the satisfaction that discipline and practice can bring. He also shared with them his love of the outdoors, raising them in the knowledge and respect of nature, particularly as it speaks to the masterful creativity of God, with a special love of the BWCAW.

Beyond all of his accomplishments, he simply knew how to love well. After a long day of work, he would gather his three small children in his arms, pulling them to himself with the strength and passion of a loving father; a passion that followed them into adulthood and to his final days. This love was generously extended to his children's spouses, welcoming Elizabeth and Achille into the deepest places of his heart. His love of being Papa to his grandchildren, Micah and Ezra, filled his cup to overflowing, washing over these babes whose time with him was just too short. But more than any other person, he loved Beryl Ann. She was his world, and he wanted nothing more than to give her everything.

He was preceded in death by his son, Gabriel "Gabe" on August 22, 1995; his parents, Albert and Franziska Vogt; Beryl's parents Maynard and Doris Raun; sister-in-law, Cheryl Jones, and "like a sister", Vicki Esterby.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 46 years, Beryl; his children, Amanda (Achille) Dago of Corona, CA. and Matthew (Dr. Elizabeth) Vogt  of Minneapolis, MN; a brother, David Vogt of Glencoe, MN; a sister, Charlene Arens of Arco, MN; 2 cherished grandchildren, Micah and Ezra; along with nieces, nephews, and many friends.

SERVICES : A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, September 16th, at the First Baptist Church in Cook.  A gathering of family and friends will be from 12:30 pm until the hour of service at the church. Rev. Jared Bangs will be the officiant. Military honors will be accorded by the combined honor guards of the Cook VFW Post #1757 and the Orr American Legion Post #480.  Interment will be in the Cook Community Cemetery.  Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.  To sign the online guest book, or to send a condolence to the family, go to: www.mlakerfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ( lls.org/minnesota ) or Mashiah Foundation ( mashiahfoundation.org ) or W.C. Heiam Medical Foundation (heiamfoundation.org)