Robert L. Vogler

Robert Lawrence Vogler of Weymouth, MA, formerly Center Harbor, NH, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2025, at the age of 86.

Bob, as he was known to all, was born July 14, 1939 to Blanche (Vanderpool) and Leo Vogler, in the home he was raised in on West Windsor Avenue in Chicago, IL. As the youngest of five children, brothers Gene (deceased), Leo (deceased), Jim (deceased) and sister Joan, he had what he described as a wonderful childhood.

He grew up playing tag, football, baseball, hide and seek, and over the ocean, spending long days outside before the age of electronics, as he loved to remind his grandchildren with a twinkle in his eye.

While space could be taken up talking about all the jobs Bob held beginning with Block Drug and the Chicago Daily News when he was a teenager and continuing on with his careers at MGD Graphic Systems, Compugraphic Systems, Computervision Corp and Primavera, talking about family is what Bob would prefer because he was so proud of all of them.

Bob met Joan, his wife of 65 years, when they were both teenagers at the Sti-Schi Club, a group of students made up of girls from Steinmetz High School where Joan attended and boys from Schurz High School, where Bob attended. They were married August 6, 1960, as Bob worked to earn his degree in electrical engineering at the University of Illinois. He credits Joan’s encouragement with helping him get through the first semester at school when many of his friends dropped out.

They had five children, Mike, Dan, Dave, Steve, and Deirdre, and moved NH in 1978 when Bob made a career change. Anyone that knows Bob knows it did not take long for him and his family to become integral parts of the Balmora neighborhood in Londonderry. Square dancing in their driveway, road rallies, tennis tournaments, progressive dinners-you name it, Bob and Joan were involved and participating. They also introduced the tradition of Halloween and holiday parties they used to have with their best friends, Judy and Jerry Snell, in Illinois to their New Hampshire friends and neighbors.

While he was proud of his children, Bob also loved and adored his grandchildren, all 13 of them. Not many conversations were held where at least one of their names did not came up, whether it was about school, sports they played, jobs they started, or marriages he was thrilled to attend. Meeting three great-grandchildren was a highlight of his life.

While Bob will be remembered for his moves on the dance floor to songs like We Are Family and YMCA, if you asked anyone who knew him what they remembered, most would say it was his gift of starting conversations and making anyone and everyone feel welcome, whether you agreed on a topic with him or not.

For family, a memory will always be the annual reunions at Grandma’s house on Papa’s lake. While the family has grown over the years from the original seven to 31, many still make the July vacation week a priority. It is easy to picture him loving a boat ride on Lake Waukewan at sunset, beating everyone at cornhole, or sitting on the deck of his house looking over the lake and commenting, “Life is good.”

When asked how he wished to be remembered, Bob said, “Good friend. Honest man. Fun guy. Loved his family.” Those who knew him would say his wish was fulfilled.

In addition to his wife, Joan, and sister, Joan Mueller, Bob is survived by his children, Mike and Paula Vogler, Dave and Jen Vogler, Dan and Paula Vogler, Steve and Linda Vogler and Deirdre and Paul Barry. His grandchildren: Kelly Vogler and Jeff Weides, Kristen Vogler, Kerri (Vogler) and Jordan Cookson; Cassie and Allie LeBlanc, and Nick Rapoza; Noah Vogler and fiancé Meghan Otis, Evan Vogler, Adam Vogler, and David Vogler; Jessica and Kayla Vogler, Jake Vogler; Julia (Barry) and Nick Adams and Ryan Barry. Three great-grandchildren, Ezarah and Cassian Weides and Finley Cookson.

Calling hours will be Sunday, October 19 from 1:00-4:00 at the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home, 809 Main St. in Weymouth, MA.

A Celebration of Life will be held in NH at a later date.