Hal Vogel

Hal Vogel of Willingboro passed away on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the age of 82. He was born on March 25, 1943 in Philadelphia to the late Jack Selig and Nora Jacqueline Vogel.

Hal proudly served his country in the US Army Special Forces during several tours in the Vietnam War. He continued to serve in the Army Reserve until his retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2003. He was a respected college professor at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ. From the age of 13, Hal pursued a passion for philately which blossomed into a world-renowned career in philatelic research, collection, and competition judging. His polar philatelic accomplishments included several published books and culminated in his receipt in 2022 of the Luff Award for distinguished philatelic research, American philately's highest honor. It was Hals wishes that his collection, exhibits and research notes be donated to the Spellman Museum in Massachusetts to provide information to future generations of polar philatelists.

Hal is survived by his devoted Okinawan wife Nobu Uezu Vogel; pursuing and winning Nobu's love represented his proudest and most important achievement. He could not believe Nobu Uezu picked him, and he was fond of writing her limericks saying so on special occasions. Hal was the loving father of Lydia Leporte (Gary Noah), cherished grandfather of Jessica, Jake, and Jennifer Leporte, all of Chesapeake, Va., and dear uncle of Maren (Frank) Gilbert. He was known for his wicked sense of humor, laced with a bit of sarcasm, a genetic family trait inherited through his daughter, niece, and grandchildren.

A celebration of life with military honors for Hal will be held on Friday, November 21st, 11 AM at the Mark C. Tilghman Funeral Home, 38 N. Forklanding Road, Maple Shade. The service will be live-streamed https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89462276005A A second memorial service will be held at the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, Va., on Tuesday, November 25th, at 12 Noon. In Lieu of flowers, please send a contribution to one of Hals favorite charities The Food Bank of South Jersey at http://www.foodbanksj.org or @foodbankSJ12 PM.

Jean and Robert Benninghoff will host a luncheon for Hal and his family after the service at 12:00 noon on Friday November 21st. The location is Cafe Fontana, 30 E. Main Street, Maple Shade, about 5 minutes walk from the funeral home. The luncheon is open to all his family and friends, particularly those attending the service.