John Paul Pogge

John Paul (“Jack”) Pogge was a man who not only lived life to the fullest but also encouraged others to do the same. Central in his life was his family, and he strived to guide his children to become loving, caring and successful legacies of his many talents and gifts. Jack was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa on June 21, 1953 to Raymond Eugene and Mary Kathryn Pogge. From his earliest days, he embodied a quiet strength, an endearing kindness, a gentle spirit, and an enthusiasm for new experiences and adventures that would guide the path of his life.

Education was a cornerstone of Jack’s life and many successes. Following graduation from St. Albert Catholic High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Jack was filled with enthusiasm as he headed off to the University of Houston where he graduated with a BBA in Finance in 1975. Jack returned to the Omaha area and followed in his father’s footsteps, attending Creighton University School of Law, where he was awarded a Juris Doctorate degree with honors in 1978.

After graduating and being admitted to both the Nebraska Bar and the Iowa Bar, Jack joined the law firm of Richards, Reikes, Brown and Zabin, where he focused his practice on corporate law. He became a partner in the firm in 1982. In 1987, Jack went to work for Applied Communications, Inc., a software company that had recently been acquired by US WEST, a regional Bell operating company, where he held the title of General Counsel and Vice President for Business Development. In 1991, Jack was appointed Chief Counsel of Mergers and Acquisitions for US WEST. Moving with his family to Denver later in 1991, Jack left the legal department of US WEST and was appointed Vice President of Corporate Development. During his tenure in that role, Jack negotiated transactions that helped implement US WEST’s corporate strategy. Jack left US West in 1995 and joined CSG Systems International, Inc. as Executive Vice President. In 1997, Jack became President and Chief Operating Officer of CSG, a position he held until his retirement in 2004.

During his retirement, Jack focused on promoting youth and education and continued to mentor peers, youth and many others of all stages of their career. He served on the Board of Directors of the Gold Crown Foundation, a foundation that sponsors youth sports and technology in Denver. He was a longstanding member of the Advisory Council for the Law School of the University of Notre Dame, and was an 8-year member of the Board of Trustees of Metro State University of Denver, including one year as the Vice Chairman of the Board and two years as the Chairman of the Board.

Although Jack was professionally successful and driven, his highest devotion was to his family, which was his greatest source of joy. He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Judy, his three children John “Paul” Pogge, Jr. (Krista), Patricia Mulvania (Michael), and Michael Pogge (Ashley), along with five beautiful grandchildren James Mulvania, Hanna Marie Pogge, Patrick Mulvania, Claire Pogge, and Michael Mulvania. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters Jean Pogge (Jesse), Ron Pogge (Susan), Joe Pogge (Nancy), Patty Parker (Greg), and Anne Mercer (Dan); brothers-in-law Joe Twidwell (Diana) and Jeff Twidwell (Nancy); and many wonderful nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond Eugene and Mary Kathryn Pogge.

Together with his treasured family and friends, Jack embraced the simple joys of golfing, hunting, fishing, traveling, watching sports, and sharing laughter and Glenlivet. He loved making memories with his family in Denver, hunting at the farm in North Dakota, soaking up the desert in Tucson, and enjoying the mountains in Beaver Creek, Winter Park and Estes Park. Jack loved being a grandpa and was affectionately known as “Papa” to his grandchildren.

During Jack’s final decade, he courageously battled various forms of dementia and sleep disorders. With the support of his medical experts, his family and his fighting spirit, Jack continued to live life to the fullest in spite of his challenges. He enjoyed his family, friends, caregivers, golf and other hobbies through his final days. While Jack leaves behind many achievements, more importantly he leaves behind a legacy of selfless kindness, compassion, humility, service to others, a relentless fighting spirit, and hope for the future, in particular for his family and scientific research.

The family requests that Memorial Donations be made to:

The Jack and Judy Twidwell Pogge Endowed Scholarship FundCreighton University, P.O. Box 30282, Omaha, NE 68103orUniversity of Colorado FoundationUniversity of Colorado Alzheimer's and Cognition Fund (D-003169)In memory of Jack PoggeP.O. Box 17126, Denver, CO 80217orGold Crown Foundation150 South Harlan Street, Lakewood, CO 80226