Harold Hogstrom Obituary

UU Asheville has missed the presence of you and Hal, Valerie. I vividly remember those days when you were active and lit up coffee hour. Yes, it´s been a while, but you´re not forgotten. Condolences and a virtual hug for the loss of your beloved husband-

Valerie and family,
I was honored to meet Hal during two recent visits to Asheville with my dad and his friend, Roger Bargainnier. Roger often spoke of Hal´s thoughtful editorials and enjoyed collaborating with him through the Asheville Theatre. When I met Hal, he shared that he had helped design the theatre at SUNY Oswego-where I now work-which was such a meaningful connection. He truly lived a long, impactful life. My dad and I send our heartfelt condolences from Syracuse, NY.

I knew Hal through the OLLI Forum group which relied on Zoom meetings in the last few years. Hal was an articulate contributor to our weekly discussions. His service in WWII included operations in the Burma Theater. Hal's wisdom was also revealed in his many acute observations printed in the Asheville Citizen Times. His voice is silent now, but its deep baritone strains echo in our memories.

Hal was one of the most inspirational people I have ever met. He was a man of integrity. He was deeply committed to making a difference on issues that count. His writings in the Asheville Ctizen Times and his participation in the University Forum at the senior college at UNCA were inspiring. His words and deeds live on because of his intended positive impact

Thank you so much Andrea sometimes we go through life and we don´t get to know where we really came from and who we could really be close to. I never got a chance to meet this side of my life and I hope one day I can meet this side of my family and build a great relationship for generations to come. Andrea has did a great job keeping me connected and I hope to also meet her one day. I wish I could´ve met uncle Howell. I´m pretty sure he would´ve put a great big smile on my face, even though I don´t know him as well as I would like to, but I feel a great spirit that he do know me and he´s watching over me. I will continue to grow and try to live the best life. I think he would have wanted me to live. Rest in peace Uncle sometimes we don´t have to know you to love you.

I found Great Uncle Hal after a new hobby of Ancestry. Turns out he had a long ago family friendship with my grandparents (his mother was my grandmothers first cousin). Hal was the greatest story teller, a champion of kindness, equality, humanity and lover of the arts. My meeting him and Valerie is way high on the list of life´s greatest moments.
Loving compassion to Valerie, Olivia, James, Cathy and all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
"Wherever a beautiful soul has been, the gift of beautiful memories remains".

My college academic advisor and one of the most briliant men I've ever known. His kind shall not come again.
"May flights of angels sing thee to they rest." - Hamlet, Act V