"I learned so much from my brief time at Al's student. He accepted my idiocyncracies as an historical geographer while holding me, and everyone else, to high standards. He taught me never to use fancy words when plain ones would do. I loved his big laugh, his kindness, and his down-to-earth practicality. It was a real honor to know you, Al."
In loving memory of
Allan G. Bogue
May 12, 1921 - August 1, 2016
MADISON
Allan George Bogue, 95, died August 1, 2016. He was born May 12, 1921 to George and Eleta Britton Bogue in London, Ontario, Canada. He was a Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison 1964-1991. Bogue's education includes; PhD: Cornell University (1951); MA: University of Western Ontario (1946); and BA: University of Western Ontario (1943). He served as a lieutenant while in the Royal Canadian Armored Corps, 1943-1949.
As an academic he began as a Lecturer in Economics and History at the University of Ontario, 1949-1952, was an Assistant Professor at State University of Iowa, and was the Chairmen of the Department of History, State University of Iowa, 1959-1963. In 1964 he became a Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1968 he became the Frederick Jackson Turner Professor of History. He was Chairman of the History Department from 1972-1973. He also served as a visiting professor at various universities including the Thord-Gray Lecturing Fellow, Uppsala University, Sweden, 1968 and in 1971-1972, was a visiting professor at Harvard University.
Bogue has won numerous awards for his work including, a Guggenheim Fellowship, 1970, Sherman Fairchild Distinguished Fellow (Cal Tech), 1975. He was elected and inducted into the National Academy of Sciences, 1985-1986 and shared in the Caughey Prize for best book in Western American history in previous year, 1995. He wrote 7 books including From Prairie to Corn Belt: Farming on the Illinois and Iowa Prairies in the Nineteenth Century, 1963, and Frederick Jackson Turner: Strange Roads Going Down, 1998. He also collaborated on 12 other books and published 73 articles during his career.
He served in numerous historical organizations as president, including: the Organization of American Historians; Agricultural History Society: Economic History Association; Social Science History Association. He was a fellow of the Agricultural History Society, an honorary life member of the Western History Association, and a member of the National Academy of Sciences.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Margaret Bogue, Professor Emerita of the History Department, University of Wisconsin-Madison, three daughters; Susan Bogue, Dekalb, IL, Margaret Bogue-Harper, her husband, Paul Harper, Minneapolis, MN, Ellie Bogue-Linsenmayer, her husband Steve Linsenmayer, grandson Alexander Linsenmayer and granddaughter Rachelle Linsenmayer, Fort Wayne, IN. He is also survived by a nephew Arthur Bogue, his wife, Ruth, of Glanworth Ontario, Canada and by his great nieces Lisa Bogue, Tracy Bogue and Elizabeth Bogue, a great-great-nephew Steffen Debacker, all of Ontario, Canada, and his faithful Samoyed dog, Rory. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, one brother and one niece.
Bogue had various hobbies outside of his career; he was a member of the Badger Kennel Club where he taught dog obedience for 20 years, and competed his Samoyeds in area obedience trials. An avid gardener, his Dahlias, which grew in the front yard, were much admired by the neighbors and those who walked by.
He and his wife were avid Badger basketball fans, holding season tickets for 44 years. A die hard Cubs fan, he was sure every spring they would win the World Series. He and his family have vacationed in northern Wisconsin since 1968 where all enjoyed canoeing, hiking, and bird watching. Always thinking about history, he planned many family vacations to include historic sites and one year the family even followed the Lewis and Clark Trail.
A private graveside service was held. A Celebration of Life will be held later.
Please share your memories of Allan.
Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
(608) 238-3434
Tributes
"When I came to Badger Kennel Club in the late 80's to train obedience with my Sheltie, Missy, Al was working with his Sammys. He was full of insight and compassion for all. He took on the AKC concerning an obedience rule that he felt was unfair and they listened and changed the rule. It stands today. Truly a good man and a great dog person."
"We always called each other cousins -- his Bogues and my Boags both came from Scotland and ended up in Ontario. I feel that I have lost a family member. Allan was great!"
"In the fall of 1988, as a freshman at the UW, I walked into the History assignment committee room to find the only course left open was, History 462: History of the American West. "Well, something is better than nothing," I thought. I soon learned that my initial judgment had significantly underestimated the course and its engaging instructor. What a fantastic way to embark on the path of an undergraduate history major. Thank you Professor Bogue, and peace to your family."
"My Keeshonden were in his classes at Badger Kennel Club. We had a ball, Al knew a lot about dealing with stubborn northern dogs. I've missed not seeing him at Badger. Marijane Reich"
"Al was my PhD advisor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. That relationship extended to my work for several years as his research assistant, part of the Turner Endowed Chair. No individual could have been more caring and helpful. His interest in my career and scholarship went well beyond graduate school. I will always be grateful for his kindness over the decades. One great benefit to being one of Al's students was having the wise council and friendship of Margaret, together she and Al were an ideal academic and scholarly couple. Although now retired I am will always be proud to tell anyone I am an Al Bogue student."
"Al was one of the very best. He was my graduate advisor at Wisconsin, and I could not have asked for a better mentor. His mentorship went well beyond my years at Wisconsin, into my professional life, and I deeply appreciate everything he did for me. I will miss him terribly."