Sunday, November 15, 2015

Our beloved dad, Eric, passed away peacefully this morning surrounded by his family.  Our hearts are broken and we will miss him terribly but we know that he is happier now and is no longer suffering.  He fought a long and difficult fight against this cancer for four years and we are grateful that he is no longer in pain and that he can be with his parents. We all feel so privileged to have had him as our father.  We could not have asked for a better father, husband, and grandfather.  He touched so many people through his life of faith and service.  In his short 54 years he has accomplished so much and helped so many people.  We have never known a more Christlike person.  We hope to be able to live up to his legacy.  We will post funeral details when plans have been finalized.  Thank you for all your love, support, and prayers.



23 comments:

  1. I love you all so so much. My heart aches with yours. There are no words.
    Love, Matt & Candace Burch

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  2. The Crane family and Dr. Vogel's extended family of friends at the Coalition will deeply miss one of our heroes who touched and inspired so many. Our thoughts and prayers will be with your family.

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  3. I'll miss you, Eric. I look forward to seeing you again in a few years!

    Farewell!

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  4. I ache for you all. He was an amazing person! We will never forget him. Sending love to you

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  5. What an amazing legacy he has left, he was the kind of person you wanted to be better around. I never knew a more christlike man. He had a sincere love of life and serving other people! I love you uncle Eric! And cant wait to see you again some day!

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  6. Our hearts go out to you at this difficult time. Eric was a great example of dedication to the Lord and his family. He was a great example of service to his fellow men. He will be greatly missed!

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  7. Knowing Eric changed my life, and made me srive to be something more that I am. His example and the words of this blog have given me a greater desire to know my Savior, and to lose myself in the service of others. We have wept as we even contemplated this day. Our hearts ache for his family. We hope to be even a portion of the man he was. Thank you Eric. You will be missed. I hope there are blackberries and creme brûlée in heaven.

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  8. Amazing. You Vogels are amazing

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  9. Deepest sympathies to you and your amazing family! Eric is a great man and his memory will always remind me of how to provide selfless service to others. I'll never forget those early morning runs I had with him on the streets of Morocco, just one of the many corners of the world his service has reached!

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  10. I weep and rejoice at the passing of my friend, Eric. I weep for his family and for the loss of such a great friend - yet rejoice at his return to the arms of a loving Father in Heaven. Our prayers and best wishes go out to the Vogel family during this difficult time. With love, the Mackay Family.

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  12. I've been pleased to have a colleague like Dr. Vogel. Our profession is far better because of him. He will be missed by so many. May the Lord bless your family forever.

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  13. He truly is a mentor and hero. His faith carried me. Look out for me good brother! Thanks for your life!

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  14. I started reading this blog from the beginning last night. I read for 2 hours until I fell asleep several times and finally realized I had to go to sleep.

    I was a student of Dr. Vogel at BYU some time around 1994. A dental school friend of mine made me aware of it a week ago.

    Today I read it between patients whenever possible, during lunch, and just finished now after work.

    This is some sad, sad shit. I know profanity is not appropriate but in this case it doesn't seem right to say "What a sad story" because this is ultra, ultra, very, very, super duper sad. Otherwise known as what I labeled it initially.

    It is also very inspiring and sobering to hear a man's thoughts for the 4 years since the massive tumor was found. Despite the impending doom, he didn't quit searching (in vain) for an answer. I think it was his constant desire to find an answer that allowed him the best possible life. I found myself thinking that he should just quit work and go spend time with his family or start his bucket list. But instead he had an incredible balance of family, work, service and pleasure that made me think at the end of reading the blog that he wouldn't have done it any other way if he had it to do over.

    He was a great guy at BYU as an instructor. I went to his office to observe. I'm sure he was great to everyone else he came into contact with. What a brave individual to not quit and stay positive throughout the experience as a source of strength when all those around him had more physical strength than himself. He was a mental ironman. The definition of a hero. I don't know if I have broad enough shoulders to do what he did or do it as well as he did it. Like he said, his life will benefit others by the way he lived it.

    God bless all those family and friends who were close to him as Dr Vogel's loss must be a difficult one.

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  15. I know we will sure miss him. He was a wonderful mentor, and a such dear friend. We are so sorry for your loss! Sending love and prayers to your family!

    Love,
    The Merkley Family

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  16. We are patients of Dr. Vogel, and he has made such an impact on our family. What a pure, kind, good, unselfish, wise, helpful, Christlike man. We are so grateful to have known him, and hope your family is able to navigate this time with the love and support you deserve. You are in our prayers. Love, Dave and Margaret Tueller

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  17. Our hearts are aching for all of you. His passing brings great sadness after such a heroic fight. What a privilege it has been to know him. We have missed seeing him in the office. You truly have been blessed to have such a wonderful man as the patriarch for your family. He will be watching over all of you, no doubt. We will keep you in our prayers. God bless and comfort you during this tender and difficult time. With great sympathy, Cameron & Cynthia Vaughn and family

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  18. My heart is broken. Today I was feeling like the world is a darker place without Eric Vogel. As I was thinking this I could almost hear his voice saying, "then you'll have to shine brighter, Eileenie!"
    Your dad inspired me and everyone around him to shine brighter, to be better and to be kinder! His light will never dim- it's carried in all our hearts and in the hearts of all those whom he touched! He was and is the most amazing man and a true follower of Christ! He did what Christ would do and loved as Christ would have loved. I will miss him so much!
    All of you are in Our every prayer! You mean so much to me!
    Love,
    Eileen

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  19. I'm so very sad to hear this news. What a beacon of love, hope and miracles your husband and father was to everyone. He was such a good example of what we should all be striving for. Thank you for sharing him with all of us. Our thoughts, prayers and blessings are with you. Much love, Nancy and Robert Dyer and family

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  20. My family and I are some of.Eric's patients. I have been going to Eric for 20+ years. He made us feel like family and I always knew he cared about us as if we were. I will miss his positive, fun attitude and all the wealth of knowledge that he had. Who loves going to the dentist? Well, we did because of him and his family at the office, amongst whom were some of his own children. We are heartbroken and are praying so hard for your family. We will always think of Dr. Vogel when we smile!! And smile when we think of him!! Thank you for sharing your husband and father with us!!

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  21. The Bartholomew family sends you our love and condolences. We have prayed for your family and continue to do so.

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  22. Your father and husband served so hero and mentor to me, first as a dentist and then as a true disciple of Christ. He made us all feel special and befriended. His service continues now free of the pain and suffering he carried with such strength and faith. Thank you for sharing him with us.

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  23. Your father and husband served so hero and mentor to me, first as a dentist and then as a true disciple of Christ. He made us all feel special and befriended. His service continues now free of the pain and suffering he carried with such strength and faith. Thank you for sharing him with us.

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