Andon B. “Dan” Pogoncheff

So very sorry to hear of Dan’s passing. Bill and I have so many wonderful memories of our friendship as young newlyweds. Please know that the family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Bill and Claudia

Cousin Dan was a great man my parents love them r i p

RIP Cousin, such a warm heart. Memory Eternal
Marilyn, Billy, and Angie, I am so sorry for your loss, Love to all!! Cousin Diane

Memory enteral my dear cousin

Your dad was a great man I have a ton respect for him one of a few men I will always call coach even thought I never played soccer I’ll always refer to him as coach

My father, Andon Blagoy Pogoncheff, came from a very proud family of immigrants. Like his elders, he believed in treating people fairly and looking out for the unfortunate. He was a middle school teacher for 32 years, a soccer coach spanning decades and a proud United States Navy Veteran.

Most of all, he was most proud of his grandchildren, all five of them. Two in College (Kelbie Senior at Baylor University, Kialie Freshman at Washington State University), two in middle school (AJ and Marie) and one in elementary school (Leya). They made him proud beyond description.

Some things which I will take for the rest of my life is what he said to me the second of my last days before his death. He was proud of my sister for what she had become and marrying a caring, great man (Tim Anderson) along with becoming a teacher.

On my last day with Tate he reminded me of how proud he was that I was in the United States Army. He said my Dedo would have been so proud and my making a career out of it was one of the best things I did for myself and my family. My wife Stacie, was a blessing and wonderful caring loving woman whom gave up a career for our son AJ and the military life. That was a sacrifice beyond no comparison which very few people would know or understand.

Tate in his own ways was very opinionated, but was also one of the most respectful people I know whom would not force his opinion on anyone even if it differed from theirs. He was devoted to his wife, his work, his family and if pride could be displayed or measured, it would be visible from Jupiter.

just before I left on the last day I saw him, we joked about the Navy and the Army and did our usual branch slams calling each other “Squid” or “Ground Pounder”. He laughed and said, he would never forget until the day he would die of what our family had accomplished in life. Not realizing that this would be my last with him.

He said we were a family of love, care, respect, devotion, loyalty, honor and need I go on. Not too many families have love of the same magnitude between siblings or inlaws. My brother Tim, my sister Angie and my wife Stacie were his references from him to his nurses and doctors as “I have 2 sons and 2 daughters and 5 Grandchildren”.
This just continued to show his pride and love as he would say it in front of every doctor and nurse I saw enter his hospital room.

As for passions, he was a devoted Detroit Red Wings and Lions fan, my father was passionate about his wood working beyond description. And he was very good at it. He taught me how to properly carry a gun, how to hunt rabbit, pheasant, deer and fish. He said those were life skills not a lot of people know and to be proud of them. He loved traveling with our mother to foreign countries on cruises, continuously seeing new things. And having spent that time with the love of his life, my mother Marilyn.

Ending this, Tate, loved and touched so many people, he was stern as a teacher, coach and parent but caring and loving with the HEART of a giant teddy bear. He would give you the shirt off his back if he could assist you. His accomplishments in life reflected him as his person. He directly molded many many people into future doctors, lawyers, teachers, pro-athletes, construction contracts, military leaders and many other professions.

It is with these said things, I believe Tate’s legacy will live forever. And with these memories many people and family will never forget.

Rest in peace Tate, I will think about you every time I watch the Wings, go hunting, fishing, watch the World Cup of Soccer and when all of your 5 grandchildren graduate from various schools and do great things in life. Your out of your pain now and laughing again with Baba, Dedo, Grandma and Grandma watching us all from above do what you wished for us in life.

So sorry for your loss, My thoughts and prayers with all the family. My earliest memories meeting him was dancing at their wedding!

I want to share my deepest condolences. Mr. Pogoncheff was my 8th grade science teacher and made a huge impact on my life. It was because of him that myself, Ben Pedersen, Nancy Xiong, Rebekah Savoie, and Brandon Young became national finalists for the Bayer/NSF Award—winning an all expense paid trip to Disney World to compete in the finals. None of that would have been possible without him coaching and challenging us to become better versions of ourselves.

He was special to many. I don’t know how he did it but he always made you feel like you were his favorite.

What’s remarkable is that I know my story is just one of many. I’m one of the many lives made better from being in his sphere of influence and love.

!Vechnaya Pamyat! Memory Eternal!

It is with a great deal of sadness we put pen to paper to express our heartfelt sympathy to Marilyn and family concerning the loss of our dear friend Andon. A giant of a man with a heart to match, we will always remember him as a very caring and thoughtful man. Andon’s and Marilyn’s initiative to construct and place several bird houses at the Park & Ride parking area at US 127 and Price Road will also be a fond memory. When the Democrats For A Brighter Future began the task of cleaning up the parking area 3 times a year for the past 8 years, Andon and Marilyn were always there without fail. We truly enjoyed our conversations with he and Marilyn about so many different issues as their opinions always provided wise and unique insight…We will miss him dearly!! Sending Love & Big Hugs, Marie & Bill Howe

I worked with Andon at Pattengill Middle School for close to thirty years; the last ten before I retired, we were members of the same team, Time Travelers, and I got to know him well. He, his wife Marilyn, my husband John, and I became good friends. Andon was an honest, generous, unpretentious man. He was an excellent teacher who saw potential in every student. He taught them science, and he also taught them the value of caring for the community by volunteering. He strived to provide opportunities for all of them in and outside the classroom through field trips to museums and Toronto. Our 8th graders liked and respected him. He will be greatly missed by us and all those who knew him.

I taught with Dan for most of my career. He made me want to be a better teacher. I will remember our trips with the 8th graders to Toronto on all the different modes of transportation. I will miss him. My condolences to all the family.

He was the best science teacher I ever had. Some of his words remain in my head 20+ years after his teachings. Sorry for ur families loss and prayers to you all.

Mr Pigoncheff was my science teacher abs track coach. He was one of the best teachers I have had. God speed sir. You were one of the good ones.

So sorry to learn of Dan’s passing. He was a lifelong friend and a gentle man. Our heartfelt sympathy to the family. Memory eternal ! The Miteff Family

Sending prayers and deepest sympathy to the family.

Dan was our brother-in-law and he was a part of my life since I was in high school. He was always enthusiastic, finding a positive angle on whatever the topic and truly caring about everyone he met. He was a big guy with a big voice, a big personality, a big smile and an even bigger heart. After retirement he and Marilyn didn’t just settle into a routine-they started cruising the world! He so enjoyed telling of his travels and hearing about ours. He will be so missed.

Dear Mr. P,

I’m so sadden to hear of your passing. You were my teacher and football and volleyball coach @ Pattengill. You also was a great teacher of life and would love to talk about anything. I ran into you a lot after high school and just recently saw you and the first thing I heard in that loud voice was “hey Beeman, your still looking good and boyish in the face” I knew who that was before I even turned around!!! Coach, you will be missed by many and my prayers and condolences go out to your wife and the rest of your family!!! RIP Coach P and I loved that you were part of my life.

Coach Pogoncheff and family,

Definitely had Coach for Science…made us eat food from all over…liver n onions, chitlins, menudo, bbq lingua…worst day of my life back then! LOL

7th grade Volleyball Coach of which I was leading scorer on the team! Check it!

9th grade Football Coach! Coach ain’t take no crap but we had fun! The last 9th grade class in the Jr. High era of the LSD!!

Friend! When I’d be umpiring softball @ Marshall Park and his home was rt there on the corner. I always would be early n stop by and chat because he’d be outside w/ his son Billy working on something!

Colleague of which he used to just look @ me and say, when we would see each other @ Sears yrs later where he worked, I just never thought you’d become a Teacher! Football player yes…Teacher no!

Always loved his honesty! Solid righteous man! R.I.P. Coach!

#PATTENGILLINDIANS4LIFE

Coach P. was a life teacher for many. I had the pleasure of being a student of his in the mid-80’s at Pattengill Jr. High. He was a soccer coach to me for a short time before being asked to move up. I too remember him for his ability to project his voice ( all the way to Catholic Central at times) because it truly motivated you.
May you rest in peach Coach P. Thank you for being a life teacher.

I remember obsessing over learning all of the bones in the body just to show Mr. P that I could do it… Still remember (most of) them to this day! Will always remember his trust and belief in all of us, he was (and very much still is) a true inspiration.

So sorry for your loss! He was my 7th grade science teacher and was a great guy. My deepest condolences.

My deepest sympathies to the Pogoncheff family. What more could I add to the stories that have been told? He was an outstanding teacher, and an exceptional coach. I can confirm with great certainty all of the kind words that have been said. I too still know the vast majority of the bones in the human body. I have incredible memories of the “Science Trip to Toronto”, I think back to the junior high years often, as they were a simpler time made all the better by people like Mr. Pogoncheff. Rest In Peace, sir.