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JOHN FRIEDRICH VOGT
Born: Jun 26, 1946
Date of Passing: Jun 26, 2013
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryJOHN FRIEDRICH VOGT John Vogt died at Vancouver General Hospital in Vancouver on Sunday, September 15, 2013 after an 18 month battle with lung cancer. He was born in Steinbach, Manitoba, on June 26, 1946, the youngest of the six sons of Peter Vogt and Susanna Reimer, who have both predeceased him. Three of his brothers have also predeceased him and he is survived by his daughter, Ayn Prince in Los Angeles, by her two sons, Pierre and Alexander, by his brother Peter Vogt in Minneapolis and his brother, Erich Vogt, in Vancouver. Most of John's life was spent in his native Manitoba. Perhaps the most gifted academically, and the most well read, of the six brothers, John did not follow the path of his siblings who, mostly, became successful academics. He could have succeeded in any profession of his choice. Instead, as a rebel of the 1960s, he chose an independent path which made him eschew family and took him, on casual labor, to many interesting places. For two decades he drove a taxi in Winnipeg and became an entrepreneur in soft drugs. He spent much time, as he later said, in mindless leisure in beer parlors. Six years ago he gave up substance abuse completely, except for smoking. Three and a half years ago he arrived on the doorstep of his brother Erich, in Vancouver in whose home he spent his remaining years. He was warmly embraced by Erich's large family and came to discover and value family. He even came to express his affection for his daughter and his stalwart grandsons, of whom he was always proud, even though his love had eluded expression. His Vancouver family was lucky to spend a happy week with him at the wild beaches of Tofino, just two weeks before he died. It was also fortunate that his daughter, Ayn, and his brother, Peter, were able to participate in the bedside vigil of his final days. John was always interesting because he was very well read and also knowledgeable about films. He had a fine memory and good critical judgment and was passionate about the things he liked, especially the New York Yankees. In his final year, his passion turned to photography. He acquired fine equipment and soon mastered it. He told interesting tales about his travels in the American South-West and South and also in Mexico. By request, there will not be a memorial service.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 21, 2013
Condolences & Memories (6 entries)
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Although, this post is a number of years since John's passing, I just recently looked at his obituary. John was 6 years my senior and I always had the utmost respect for John and his intellectual prowess. I enjoyed our discussions and time we spent together in the Plazoo and out of said bar. He always had time to chat. Bless his life on the planet Earth. - Posted by: Dan Schellenberg (Friend) on: Mar 16, 2020
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John and I have spent innumerable hours together, at one point even sharing living space. His intelligence was unmatched by anyone else that I have known. As time passed, I simply accepted the fact that John was never going to focus on a traditional career of any kind. He would be a barroom philosopher, a humorist, and an observer of life as it it evolved around him. I can honestly not recall a dull moment in his presence. I will never cease to enjoy my memories of John, and only wish that life had been kinder to him. - Posted by: Chris (Friend) on: Nov 14, 2015
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John, I am so very sorry we did not keep in touch. You were so very dear to me. I will always hold you in the highest esteem. You were one of the most important friends I have ever had. I will always miss you and think of you often and with great fondness. For Ayn, I know that John was not the most affectionate fellow but he spoke of you with such love and pride I hope you know how very much he loved you. - Posted by: Jamie (Friend) on: Oct 22, 2013
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Thank you for leaving your comments, very comforting to read about my dad. - Posted by: Ayn Prince (Daughter) on: Sep 23, 2013
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a brilliant mind that finally found inner peace - Posted by: Bud Girden (friend and comrade) on: Sep 21, 2013
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john drove taxi for me and my dad for years in winnipeg, with me usually picking him up for his shift mid-afternoon. i always looked forward to our chats between shifts. on slow nights he'd be returning the keys by ten o'clock... just in time to catch some entertainment at the zoo! he was one of those guys you don't forget, from his deep resonant voice to his under the breath laugh. there was never a dull discussion over those dozens of beers, etc. and guys marveled at how much stuff john knew... about anything. he always had one or two crumpled up books between the seats of the taxi... renewed almost daily. too bad he didn't write it down. - Posted by: cam stuart (boss) on: Sep 21, 2013