Willis Gene Vogel, 95, of Berea, widower of Norma G. Vogel, died April 25 at the UK Chandler Medical Center.
A native of Seward, Neb., he was born Bov. 27, 1930 to the late Reuben O. and Nellie O. Vogel. He was preceded in death by a sister and a brother.
Survivors include four sons, Ronald (Judy) of Omaha, Neb., Martin (Nancy) of San Diego, Calif., Carl (Wendy) of Kingsport, Tenn., and Chris of Berea; four grandchildren, James (Pretti) Vogel, Eric Vogel, Marlee (Aaron) Joseph and Benson Vogel; two step grandchildren; seven step great grandchildren and four step great great grandchildren.
Willis earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture from the University of Nebraska and a master's degree in range management from Montana State University. He worked as a Range Conservationist for the USDA Soil Conservation Service in Idaho, then in Range Management research for the USDA Forest Service in Missouri. Lastly, he moved to Berea where for 23 years he did research on the revegetation of coal surface mines in the Appalachian coal fields. He has over 35 research publications, including two manuals on the revegetation of coal surface mines.
Willis was an avid wood worker. He was a charter memeber of St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Richmond for which he designated and/or built several pieces of church furniture.
A memorial service will be held at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 1285 Barnes Mill Road in Richmond, on Saturday, May 2 at 2 p.m., with Rev. Mary Metzger officiating. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 1285 Barnes Mill Rd., Richmond, Ky., 40475, or the Compassionate Care Center, 350 Isaacs Lane #350, Richmond, Ky., 40475.
Davis and Powell Funeral Hoem is in chagre of arrangements. www.davisandpowellfuneralhome.com
