Husband, father, Pappa (or ‘Papi’), brother, son, uncle, friend, lover of trains, builder, reader, puzzle-solver, engineer, student of music, the sea, the solar system, John Ford, Hitchcock, Gilbert and Sullivan, Chaplin, Keaton, The Marx Brothers and so much more.
Give Dave a challenge just beyond the realm of possibility - an upwind tack in the ol’ CL16 through the four-foot swells of Skeleton Lake, a broken-down engine in the family wagon or on the old boat, hopelessly lost taking the “shortcut” through the backroads, a Rubik’s Cube - and his response is simple: “piece of cake.” Confident and determined, or stubborn to a fault? If you are in his presence you may be as mesmerized as you are frustrated. We know he lives for the challenge, with nothing to prove to anyone but himself. A selfless worker who is rewarded by the work itself. He seeks no recognition. He may in fact hate the recognition. With a pencil behind his ears, and his tongue sneaking through the side of his tightly-pressed lips, he is focused. Kind. So kind. Quiet. Calm. Measured. Undaunted. Unflappable.
Utterly devoid of ego. Patient. Sooooo patient!
When his two boys are young and wild, he is an impenetrable wall. He cannot be swayed from his stance. The decision is made and it is final. And so the boys are often looking for a rise, and he simply will not reciprocate. There is no fight. There is seemingly never a fight. No grudge, nothing lingers. He is also a teddy bear. Big and strong, with all of the comfort and time in the world. Somehow, even in the distant state of adolescence, his boys hold him tight, crying into his chest. He is always there. Every time. He is a fiercely loyal and gentle companion of 51 years. An unending believer and defender of his wife, and all of her talents, beauty and attributes. He knows how lucky he is to find love and companionship. Indeed, she is his best friend, his one true confidante. A cheerleader and a voice of reason. They are a true partnership, holding each other through the challenges of parenthood and family, the ups and downs of a complex life, exhilaration and tragedy.
On November 29th, 2020, held tightly by his wife Elizabeth and his sons Geoff and Graham, Dave moved onto a challenge beyond us all. Dave is forever held by each of his beloved daughters in law Krista Vogt and Tia Saley, his four beautiful grandchildren Elliot, Anne, Makena and Guthrie, and his two surviving siblings Bruce Vogt and Lynn Vogt (Bruce Gooch). Somewhere and somehow, he is also being held by his parents Arthur and Ruth Vogt, and his dear brother Gord. Dave is survived by each of those he touched along the way, each of those lucky enough to experience his truly unique and gentle spirit. We will honour him always by forever holding him close.
Arrangements entrusted to WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 519-822-0051 – Condolences can be sent via funeral home website below Dave’s notice.
If you would like to make a donation in honour of Dave, you may do so to either The Guelph Concert Band or the Guelph YMCA. These are two organizations close to Dave’s heart, health and happiness.A tree will be planted in memory of David F. (Dave) Vogt in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.