View source for Eric Vogt's tribute to his Grandfather

[[Erich Vogt]] --> [[Personal Memories of Erich Vogt]] --> here

Hello everyone, thank you all very much for coming here.

As grandpa used to say, I am little Eric.

I was chosen to speak on behalf of the grandchildren today because I am the primary individual contributor to the total tonnage of Erich Vogt’s offspring. Yes, just like with his tomatoes and his Christmas cakes, grandpa kept track of the total weight of his progeny – which is currently hovering around one and three quarter tons. Not only was this something that he loved to boast about, but he never wasted an opportunity to add to it. Frequently reminding the grandchildren of who had consumed the most farmer’s sausage or who had eaten the greatest number of helpings at a family dinner.

I was initially reluctant to speak today as I feared that I could never adequately reflect on such an amazing, influential and inspiring man. But then I started thinking about Grandpa, and if there is one thing that he taught me it is that it’s ok to make a fool of yourself sometimes. I mean this in a good way and to my family, or to anyone else who has visited a Zoo with Erich, I encourage you to think about how he loved to speak to the baboons. It also dawned on me that it really doesn’t matter what I say, because if Grandpa were here he would have been proud. He was incredibly proud of all of his grandchildren. That is just the way he was. His love for all of us was equal, unbiased and unconditional.

Grandpa was also tremendously supportive. He encouraged us to take on new challenges and to work to our full potential. But more than anything he encouraged us to be who we are, to focus our energy on the things we are most passionate about. And though he often told us this, he did not have to. For his life and his story were the perfect examples of what could be achieved with the right amount of passion, determination and hard work.

There is no question that Erich had a gifted mind and I feel that we are all truly fortunate to have grown up around such man. It seemed like Grandpa knew more than a little bit about almost everything, and he frequently surprised me with this knowledge. To his grandchildren this was somewhat like having a walking, talking encyclopedia to rely on. But what was more meaningful was that he was able to talk, in depth, to each and every one of us about the things we are most passionate about. Considering how many of us there are, and how diverse our interests are, this is exceptionally impressive and something I am very thankful for.

While all of us have very different interests and are headed in many different directions, there are also many things that we have in common. Most apparent I believe is our sense of humor. And for that we must thank Grandpa as he always found ways to make us laugh. But with our sense of humor we also developed patience, as we have all heard his jokes and limericks countless times.

The effects that both my Grandpa Erich and Grandma Barbara had on their grandchildren was tremendous and is readily apparent to a thoughtful eye. For instance, take:

* Naomi’s energy on the stage,
* Deborah’s passion for poetry
* Samuel’s goofy smile,
* Parker’s appreciation of music
* Nic's charm and charisma
* Matt’s unique sense of humour
* Alex’s powerful gas
* Madeleine's commitment and determination,
* Patrick’s enormous sense of family,
* Gabrielle’s love for all things German
* Charlotte, well she is a perfect reflection of grandma,
* Peter’s thirst for knowledge,
* Megan’s appetite for tomatoes
* Kennedy’s love of history
* Bri, well she owes her life to grandpa, for he saved her from drowning in Tofino.
* And finally, my insatiable appetite for Costco hotdogs.

Thus, to my siblings, my cousins, and all of my family:  When you are down, when you miss Grandpa, or Grandma, I encourage all of you to look around. Seek comfort in knowing that each and every one of us carries a different piece of their spirit and that they will be with us as for long as we are all together.

Thank you.