Philip Bernard Vogel
Jan. 27, 1947 – March 13, 2016

Philip Bernard Vogel accepted his wings and earned his entry into God’s Kingdom on March 13, 2016 at Vidant Home Health & Hospice in Greenville, North Carolina, after a most valiant fight against bladder cancer. Meeting him were his parents Lucille and Bernard Vogel and brother Ralph Vogel who preceded him many years ago.

Phil, as he was known, was born and raised in Springfield, Illinois, on January 27, 1947. After completing his service in the United States Air Force, he returned to Illinois and resided in Mahomet for a while. He married Gail McWilliams Clark in October 26, 1977. They then purchased a home in Champaign, Illinois, where they successfully raised two wonderful children, Leslie Ann (Clark) Reese and Henry Thomas Clark IV (Buddy), and three beloved dogs, Barney, Fred and Sonny. Phil worked for the Champaign Post Office, from which he retired in 2002, completing a 33-year career with the United States Postal Service and Air Force Tour. He served his fellow postal workers as Union Steward for 10 years. He was loved very much by the postal patrons on his route. His last day on the job, they threw him a retirement party that made the nightly news on Champaign’s channel 3 (network affiliate, CBS). Phil was very proud of his postal career, and deeply touched by the love shown him by the people he served.

After retirement, Phil achieved a lifelong dream to retire to North Carolina when he and Gail moved to Washington, where he kept busy pursuing his favorite hobbies, gardening, landscaping, cooking and wine making. He had excelled at all four. Phil always enjoyed a good political conversation and a good glass of wine, often at the same time. His legacy includes being a good husband, father, brother, friend and neighbor. He thoroughly enjoyed any time spent with his family and neighbors, always making time to be with them. He was always available to meet any need or provide any assistance.

Besides his loving wife of 39 years, Gail, Phil leaves behind his sister, Cathy Livingston of Boston, Massachusetts, daughter Leslie (Chip) Reese of Greenwood, DE, granddaughters Abigail and Carolyn Reese, son Henry (Cindy) T. Clark IV of Chester, MD, grandson Henry Thomas Clark V, sister-in-law Kristie (Frank) Mills of Laurel, MD, and brother-in-law George F. McWilliams Jr. of Port Orange, Fla. One who will miss Phil greatly is his beloved best friend, Beau, a Golden Retriever whom he rescued from Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue of Raleigh, NC, 3 years ago.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Paul Funeral Home, where a time of gathering for friends and family will be held May 14, 2016, from 11:00-1:00 PM for memorial service, and then his ashes will be scattered over the Pamlico River on May 15, 2016.

In lieu of flowers, you can donate in his name to Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue, PO Box 37156, Raleigh, NC 27627, or Beaufort County Humane Society, PO Box 8, Washington, NC 27889 and Vidant Home Health & Hospice, 920 Wellness Blvd., Greenville, NC 27834.