JOHN TERENCE OGDEN

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JOHN TERENCE OGDEN
June 7, 1938 - March 19, 2019

John Terence Ogden died suddenly at home, at Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge in Charlottesville, Virginia, on March 19, 2019, with his wife by his side.
Besides his beloved wife of 57 years, Karen, he is survived by his precious children and grandchildren: son, Alex Ogden (Judith Kalb) of Columbia, SC; daughter, Amy Ogden (Michelle Amt) of Charlottesville, VA; and three grandchildren, Nate and Esme Ogden-Amt and Eloise Ogden. He is also survived by his two brothers, James S. Ogden of Dana Point, CA and David W. Ogden of Topeka, KS.
The son of John LaRue Ogden and Marian Young Ogden, Terry was born in Hinsdale, IL and spent his young boyhood in Pittsburgh, PA before graduating from Barrington High School outside Chicago. He went on to major in German at Princeton University and spent his junior year abroad in Munich. After graduating from college in 1960, he earned an M.A.T. from Johns Hopkins University where he met Karen Carlson. They were married in 1961 and immediately moved to Urbana, Illinois where Terry earned his Ph.D. in English at the University of Illinois, specializing in the Romantic poets, especially William Wordsworth.
In 1966 Terry began his teaching career at SUNY Buffalo and several years later accepted a position at the University of Manitoba where he taught for 32 years, retiring in 2005. The Winnipeg years were filled with the joys of teaching, raising a family, and learning to love a new country. In 2014 Terry and Karen returned to the United States to be near their children and grandchildren. At Westminster Canterbury they have found a congenial community, a wonderful variety of new friends, and beautiful views of Monticello and the mountains.
A devoted member of the Department of English, Terry was described by his department head as "a vital part of the department's life, sought out as a teacher, trusted as an administrator, and treasured as a friend." In the words of one colleague, he "was the best of colleagues - amiable, intelligent, kind and generous in his dealings with those with whom he shared the academic enterprise."
Terry was a loving and beloved husband, father, and grandfather whose greatest joy in life was his family. He was also an active member of his community. As a boy he attained the level of Eagle Scout, and as a retiree he devoted his energies to the environment. He and Karen shared a love of music, literature, ballet, theatre, and travel. This gentle man was a source of strength and love to all who knew him.
A private gathering to remember Terry will be held at a future date. In memory of him please read a Wordsworth poem.
Friends who wish to, may send contributions in Terry's memory to the WCBR Foundation, 250 Pantops Mountain Rd., Charlottesville, VA, USA 22911 or to the Stratford Festival of Canada (1-800-567-1600).

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 06, 2019