Alan L. Voggenthaler

Alan L. Voggenthaler, 85, of Fremont, Ohio passed away at Stein Hospice in Sandusky, Ohio ending his valiant battle with cancer.  

He was born to Ralph and Zelma Voggenthaler.  As a child he enjoyed summers camping with family at Keuka Lake, New York, working as camp counselor at Camp Gorton Boy Scout Camp, and earning the Order of the Arrow and his Eagle Scout Award.  He was proud to have played in the 1950 Little League World Series.

Al was a 1955 graduate of Painted Post High School where he lettered in baseball and wrestling, and as a member of their first wrestling team he served as captain for 2 years.  Al earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Bowling Green State University.  He was a member of two MAC championship wrestling teams and very much enjoyed his time with his brothers of Delta Upsilon.  He served in the United States Army from 1960-1962.

As a teacher and coach he started his career in Crestline, Ohio in 1963 where he started their first wrestling program during his tenure.  He then moved to Sylvania, Ohio in 1967 where one of his proudest accomplishments was earning the GLL Conference Championship defeating Bedford, Michigan.  In 1972 Coach Voggie and his family moved to Fremont, Ohio where he continued his successful career as teacher, coach, mentor, and friend to so many, retiring in 1991.  

Among his many awards was being named co-coach of the year by the Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association for Class AAA division in 1982.  He was later elected unanimously for induction into the Ohio Wrestling Hall of Fame by the Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association in 1984.   Al was very honored in 2017 when the newly built wrestling complex which he had designed at Fremont Ross High School was dedicated and named for him and his fellow head coach Grover Dowell as the Voggenthaler-Dowell wrestling complex.

In retirement Al worked with CASA for 7 years.  He owned and operated Meadowood Inc., an event venue in Bellville, Ohio, along with his wife Mary Ann and their partners Bill and Jeanne Flanegan.  Al continued his connection with wrestling as a sales representative for Resilite Sports Products.  He was also able to pursue his childhood interest of hunting in both the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and in New Mexico and to enjoy his love of the outdoors.  When asked by his granddaughter Kate to write down his favorite spirit animal, Al wrote, “An elk because of its extreme will to live and survive.”  That was truly Al’s mantra.

Most recently Al was a member of the Fremont Outing Club, the Elks Club, the American Legion, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and a lifetime member of the Amvets.

Alan is survived by Mary Ann (Wells) Sipsma Voggenthaler, his wife of nearly 38 years, daughter Laurie Voggenthaler, son David Voggenthaler, granddaughter Kate Voggenthaler, step-son Michael Sipsma, step-grandchildren Alex Sipsma and Meghan Sipsma, and step-great grandson Nash Sipsma, nephew Andy Voggenthaler and family, a niece, and several cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jack Voggenthaler, and nephew Pete Voggenthaler.

A celebration of Al’s life will take place on Sunday, March 3, 2024 at Ole Zim’s Wagon Shed, 1375 OH-590, Gibsonburg, OH 43431 from 4-9 p.m. with tribute ceremony from 6-7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Fremont Ross Athletic Department, 1100 North Street, Fremont, Ohio 43420 (in his name towards the wrestling program), CASA of Sandusky County, 219 S. Front Street, Fremont, Ohio 43420, The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Stein Hospice, or the donor’s choice.