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Richard H. Bogen, age 84, of Bronson, Mich., passed away late Saturday evening, May 25, 2013, at his home.
He was born Dec. 28, 1928, in Sturgis, Mich., son of the late Louis and Helen (Harris) Bogen.
Richard was a lifelong Bronson and Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1947.
In 1951, he married Yvonne Vanderlip. This marriage ended in divorce. On Jan. 17, 1975, he married Shirley Jean Fowler in Battle Creek.
Richard was employed by the City of Sturgis Generation Plant for 42 years holding the position of supervisor for 22 years. He had a passion for all of his work, which included carpentry and farming and he was always willing to lend a helping hand, when called upon by family and friends. He so loved his family, and enjoyed his blended family, who, along with many friends, fondly called him “Grandpa”.
His hobbies included collecting genuine pocket watches and in later years, he enjoyed antique cars and his beloved 1940 Dodge truck. He attended Bethel Gilead Community Church, where he looked forward to Pastor Jim Erwin’s food for thought each week.
Richard is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 38 years, Shirley; two sons: Mike (Candy) Bogen of Battle Creek and Mark (Kelly) Bogen of Sturgis; one daughter: Julie (Allen) White of Sturgis; two step-daughters: Karen Smith and Kristina (Doug) Sobeski both of Bronson; one step-son: Greg (Diane) Fowler of Bronson; 10 grandchildren: James Bogen of Vicksburg, Jacob Bogen of Portage and Lucas Bogen of Kalamazoo, Amy Jo White, Mike White, Mark White and Matthew White all of Sturgis, Nikki Bogen New York, New York and Brittany Bogen of Santa Monica, Calif.; three step grandchildren: Haley Smith, Emmett Sobeski and Skyler Sobeski all of Bronson; three great grandchildren; two sisters: Judy Farrand of Sturgis and Alice (Charles) Brown of Palmdale, Calif., and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother: Donald Bogen.
The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-2331. Funeral services celebrating the life of Richard H. Bogen will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Pastor Jim Erwin of the Bethel Gilead Community Church in Bronson will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Bogen’s memory consider the bethel Gilead Community Church, 876 Block Rd., Bronson, MI 49028.
The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
