Feb. 20, 1931 – Oct. 19, 2024
Gilbert A. Bogley passed away peacefully at his home in Lake Leelanau, Michigan, surrounded by his loving family. Gil leaves behind a legacy of leadership, community involvement, and unwavering devotion to his family and friends.
Born on February 20, 1931, in Washington, D.C., he was the son of Roland Aubrey Bogley, an attorney, and Grace Roberds Bogley (Houck). He was predeceased by his younger sister, Josephine Troth Keithley, whose Bridge skills Gil always admired.
Gil spent his childhood in D.C., attending E.V. Brown Elementary and sang in the National Cathedral Boys Choir, until his voice changed. A gifted tennis player from a young age, Gil Bogley moved quickly to the top of the varsity team at Landon School, eventually winning multiple national Junior and Boys tennis titles, including two National Junior Singles Championships. By his senior year, he led Landon to a victory in the National Interscholastic Championships. He graduated valedictorian of his Landon class of 1948.
Gil’s prowess on the tennis court took him to Princeton University, where he played #1 singles and doubles throughout his four years, helping the team maintain an undefeated record while earning a degree in Modern Languages and graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1952.
After college, Gil served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he was fortunate to serve as General’s Aide to Brig. Gen. Carl I. Hutton. For his service, he was awarded a Bronze Star.
Upon returning from Korea, Gil transitioned into the business world, initially working with Prudential Insurance. His life took a fortunate turn when he met the love of his life, Anne Loring Williams, on a blind date in Detroit. They were married on August 31, 1956 and together decided to move to Traverse City in 1960. Gil left the insurance business and began a 33-year newspaper career. Gil started as an advertising salesman at the Record-Eagle. He rose to the position of general manager, and after nine years (1978-1987) at the sister Ottaway-owned newspaper in Medford Oregon where he became publisher, Gil returned to Traverse City as the publisher of the Record Eagle. During his tenure at the Record-Eagle, the paper saw significant growth, including the launch of the Sunday edition, cementing Traverse City as a hub for the region.
Traverse City also provided Gil purposeful civic involvement and lasting friendships. A visionary community leader and a passionate advocate for the preservation of natural resources, Gil spearheaded initiatives that made the Traverse City Chamber of Commerce a leader in environmental protection. He was instrumental in founding the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy. Gil was a member and served on the boards of the Traverse City and Suttons Bay Rotary Clubs. He co-founded the Suttons Bay Rotary Club’s Cherry Initiative, an effort to preserve Leelanau County’s rural character by enhancing the local cherry industry’s visibility.
Gil served on the Board of Munson Healthcare, the Traverse City Chamber of Commerce. With Anne and neighbors, Gil helped found Slabtown Neighborhood Association, Traverse City’s first neighborhood association. Gil served on the boards of Grace Episcopal Church, the Lake Leelanau Lake Association, the Michigan Children’s Aid Society, and the International Affairs Forum among others. For these efforts and more, Gil was awarded the 2023 Distinguished Service Award by the Traverse City Chamber of Commerce (Traverse Connect).
Gil is survived by his children and their spouses Bill (Bea), John (Shauna) and Elizabeth (Jon Roth), and by his seven grandchildren, Kathryn, James, Ian, Anna, Mark, Olivia and Mary. The children and their kids were frequent visitors to the family’s cherished home on Lake Leelanau. A public celebration of life is being planned at a location and date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy or the Leelanau Regional Land Conservancy in his memory.
