John Edward Koegel

John Edward Koegel passed away peacefully on May 21, 2024, surrounded by family. He was a patient in the Harris Hospice at Novant Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina following a recent diagnosis of metastatic lung cancer. He was 77 years old.

Mr. Koegel was born in Cumberland, Maryland on October 28, 1946. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and a 1964 graduate of Allegany High School where he was the recipient of the Citizen of the Year and Welcome Home Awards.

He attended the Art Institute of Chicago and in 1969 received a B.A. from Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, North Carolina. In his sophomore year, he received the Pfaff Cup which is awarded to students who excel in all areas of the College's academic program: academics, work, community engagement, and campus life. Upon graduation, Mr. Koegel taught English at A.C. Reynolds High School in Asheville, North Carolina, where he founded the Theater Department and received the Teacher of the Year award.

Mr. Koegel left education to pursue a Master of Arts Degree in Mexico at the Institudo de Allende, San Miguel de Allende. In 1978, he was awarded a Hayes-Fulbright Grant for travel and study in India. He frequently returned to Warren Wilson College to teach art, arrange exhibits and direct theatrical productions. He served as Chairman of the Art Department from 1977-1979.

In 1980, Mr. Koegel moved to Atlanta, Georgia to launch a career in the arts and served as the Coordinator of Special Projects at the Heath Gallery. His work is included in numerous permanent collections most notably Chase Manhattan Bank, New York, NY; Columbia Museum of Art and Science, Columbia, SC and the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia, Atlanta, GA. Most recently, his work was showcased in "Drawn in Georgia 2019: Works on Paper from the MOCA GA Permanent Collection." Family and friends also treasure his work.

Mr. Koegel was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Herman Koegel. He is survived by his sisters Kitti Truter, Matthews, NC, and Ann Pumphrey, Severna Park, MD and 10 cherished nieces and nephews. He enjoyed active correspondence with lifelong friends from across the globe. Generous in life and in death, Mr. Koegel donated his body to the North Carolina State Board of Anatomy.

At Mr. Koegel's request there will be no formal service; however, please celebrate his life by taking a moment to enjoy the arts. In his memory, plans are underway to place a bench in the Peace Garden at the Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church. A fitting memorial to a dear friend who always found time to sit, listen and share a laugh. Donations for the memorial bench may be made to: Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church, 101 Chapel Lane, Swannanoa, NC 28778. Please include "John Koegel Bench/Peace Garden" in the Memo.