Howard E. Hogan
Age 91, of Lansing, Michigan, died December 16, 2020. He was born October 31, 1929, in Lansing, to Harold and Helen Hogan. He married his high school sweetheart, Beverlee J. Hogan, on June 24, 1950. His heart broke when she passed on June 28, 2002. He was preceded in death by his father (1943), his mother (1962), infant daughter Brenda Sue (1953), daughter-in-law Sharon Hogan (2002), and his sister Gail Hogan Maurer (2003).
Howard graduated in 1947 from Eastern High School in Lansing. Following graduation, he honored his father’s memory, who gave his life as an airman in WWII, by honorably serving in the U.S. Air Force as an engine mechanic instructor during the Korean War. After his service, Howard lived in Lansing, where he centered his life around his family.
He devoted his career to being the consummate sales professional. He thoroughly understood the details of his products, whether sporting goods, investments, or automobiles. He was so good at automobile sales that, while working at Story Oldsmobile, he was honored as the top first-year new car salesman in the nation. Later in life, he established his own extremely successful business, Hogan’s Color Specialties, using his artistic skills to restore car interiors.
Howard, a true gentleman, was an honest man with great integrity and loyalty. He worked extremely hard. His greatest joys, however, were family and friends, especially when fishing or skiing with them. He particularly loved fishing trips with his dear friends on the Betsie River. Skiing with his family on the slopes of Northern Michigan and Winter Park, Colorado were incredibly special times that brought him great joy. His passion for skiing was notorious. He served on the National Ski Patrol for more than 30 years. To quote his grandson Steve, “He was a total badass skier.” He retired from the slopes in 2013. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren will hear him in the winds as they schuss down ski slopes anywhere they ski.
Howard is survived by his children: daughter Sheryl (George) Sinas, and son Richard (Donna) Hogan; grandchildren, Thomas (Shelly) Sinas, Stephen (Heidi Schroeder) Sinas, Marine Sergeant Gregory Hogan, Kara (Tyler) Smith, Alex VanderStuyf, Abby VanderStuyf; great-grandchildren, Elliot, Norah, Charlie, and Milo Sinas; sister, Eugenia Sandy; sisters-in-law, Ruth Richards and Marietta Richards; many dear nieces and nephews; and special friend, Martha (Dot) Hackney.
The family is especially thankful to the entire staff at Grandhaven Living Center for the kind and loving care he received over the last five years. Additionally, Sparrow Hospital and Hospice House of Mid-Michigan provided Howard loving care and guidance through the last days of his journey home, and for this his family will be forever grateful.
His family will have a celebration of his life in the summer of 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice House of Mid-Michigan or the Greater Lansing Food Bank in memory of Howard Hogan. Online condolences may be left for his family at www.EstesLeadley.com.
7 Messages to “Howard E. Hogan”
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Phillip stevens
December 17, 2020 at 4:33 pmI am so very sad to hear this news. Howard and I were the last of a small group of guys who fished the Betsie River for steelhead and salmon each spring and fall. Howard, Tom Campbell, Gil Foster and Roger Noyce were good friends for many years before I joined up. I will miss him—and the rest of these good men. Thanks, Howard.
Sheryl A Sinas
December 28, 2020 at 6:13 pmThank you Phil! Great to hear from a fishing pal, he so loved being on the river with friends. My sympathies to you. Sheryl
Christine Mikrut Campbell
December 27, 2020 at 9:48 amI am so sorry for your loss, Sheryl, George, and family. I remember your dad well, and fondly. I remember I went fishing for the first time in my life with you and your dad, up north, when we were very young teens. That was also the first time I tasted fresh fried fish, prepared by your mom—delicious. It is a blessing he was with you so long, but then so difficult when our loved ones finally have to leave us.
Sheryl A Sinas
December 28, 2020 at 2:14 pmChris, Thank you for your kind words and the reminder of the treasured memory we shared. Those were fun times. He so loved to fish!
Blessings, Sheryl
Diane Fisher
December 29, 2020 at 5:06 pmso sad to hear of Howard’s passing! I remember fondly the times he was in Winter Park to ski with us and eventually get his own condo. What an upbeat, fun person! always ready to join in conversations with his own stories and memories. I know he struggled with short term memory problems and that it bothered him, but he was accepting of the fact that was the way he was in his final years. Bill considered him a good friend and neighbor, and I did also. He will be missed by many. My condolences to the family and especially to Rick and family whom I knew from their trips to visit in Colorado.
Diane Fisher
Pat and Dick Schaible
December 30, 2020 at 7:02 pmWe are so sorry to hear of Howard’s passing. We were in a bridge group We liked Howard a lot. with Howard and Bev for probably 40 years. I always enjoyed him. He was eager to learn, we shared a common interest in exercise. He was interesting to talk with. We liked Howard a lot.
Cindy Grutzmacher
February 6, 2021 at 11:03 amSheryl, Rick and Families-
I was so sad to hear of Uncle Howard’s passing. I only recently heard the news through my mom. Your parents were both so kind to me growing up. I enjoyed the time I spent with them and remember them fondly. Jon also send his condolences.