1935 – 2007 (April 28)
Walter Paul Vogel was born on March 7, 1935 on Ecke Ranch, near Encinitas, California, one of two sons and two daughters of Ruth Maurer and Walter Vogel. He entered the seminary in 1954 and took simple vows in the Augustinian Order in 1955. He was ordained a priest on February 9, 1963. His first years as a priest were dedicated to the educational ministry, serving at Bonner High School in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, St. Augustine High School in San Diego, Villanova Prep School in Ojai, Central Catholic High School in Modesto, and Woodside Priory near San Francisco. While he was still a high school teacher he was introduced to the Cursillo movement and became one of its most sought after ministers and spiritual directors. At the same time he began a hobby which turned into a passion – cooking.
For a brief period Fr. Walter was a prison chaplain, and for the last six years of his life, served others as a parish priest. He was a much-loved servant-minister both in Ontario, and particularly at Our Mother of Good Counsel, Los Angeles. Fr. Walter passed away on April 28, four days after he was involved in a very serious automobile accident. A Memorial Mass celebrating his entrance into a new life took place at Our Mother of Good Counsel Church on May 5. He was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, San Diego.
