Neil F. Bogner died on September 6, 2015. He was born in Henry, IL on May 13, 1926 and was the son of Irene (Wallace) Bogner and Elmer A. Bogner. He married Eleanor V. Johnson on Nov. 25, 1954.She survives as do their sons - Douglas N. (Kathy), Catonsville, MD; Paul D., Hollywood, MD and Carl E., Milwaukee, WI, also their 2 granddaughters - Emma and Sarah in Catonsville, MD.Also surviving are his sisters - Marie Cowan, Peoria, IL, Rita (Tom) Lauerman, Chesterton, IN. and sister-in-laws- Judith Bogner, Marian Osborn, Elaine Gustafson, and Phyllis King. Also, brother-in-law Robert Johnson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in his death were his parents, brothers - Laurence and Vernon and numerous in-laws, and nieces and nephews.
The first six years of his education was at Red Town, a one room school. He graduated from St. Mary's Grade School, Henry High School and the University of Illinois where he earned degrees in Agricultural Engineering and Agriculture.
After graduating from the University he began a career with the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), US Dept. of Agriculture.He started as a student trainee engineer in the Marshall-Putman SWCD, Henry, IL and then moved on to Bloomington, IL, Caruthersville, MO and Urbana, IL. It was at Urbana that he had the great fortune to meet and marry a fellow SCS'er, Eleanor. After their marriage they were moved to Macomb, IL where he became the project engineer on the Old Tom Creek Watershed Project.His career took them through a number of locations and levels eventually leading to the Director of Engineering in the National Office. He served in that position for 7 years (second longest term for the Agency at that time) and then ended his career as the Associate Director for Technology.He retired after over 33 years in 1983.
He was a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois.
He maintained Membership in the American Society of Agricultural Engineers from the day he graduated until his death.He was named a Fellow in the Society and received the John Deere Medal.He served on numerous committees and, at one time, was Director of the Soil and Water Division.He was also a Member of the SWCS for many years.
He was named an Honorary Alumnus of the Univ. of Ill. College of Engineering.He was also an original member, representing the USDA, when the Interagency Committee for Dam Safety was established and he represented USDA on the Federal team that investigated the failure of the Teton Dam.
Upon his retirement he joined the Association of Retired SCS Employees and served in numerous positions over the next 25 years, including being President and Secretary –Treasurer. He and Eleanor were the first couple to be named Senior Conservationists by the Association.
He and Eleanor volunteered at Fairfax INOVA Hospital for 17 years amassing many hours.
He and Eleanor moved to the Charlestown Retirement Community near Baltimore in 2009 to be near their son and his family. Where he was a member of the Parish of Our Lady of the Angels.
In lieu of flowers memorials may go to the donor's choice.