TED C. BOGDAN
September 5, 1923 - October 19, 2014

"I just now saw this obituary. I met Ted in the 1980s through John Voelker. Both he and John were very kind to me, sharing their time, their stories, and their fishing with me, something I appreciated very much."

"Just recently saw this obituary. I worked for ted in the early 70's. he was a good boss, cared about his employees. I know he will be missed by many."

"Ted was a true mentor and a life changing freind in my life. I OWE TO HIM a ton. He had influence on my education, passion for culinary arts, my confidence and my drive to dmbe a better man. I regret that I waited too long to thank him. Ted. May god bless you and hold you... and thank you for being a big part of me in such a small amount of time."

"I had the pleasure of meeting Ted at the Jacobetti home for Veterans where he shared many life stories with me. One of his secret fishing holes that he shared with John is in my back yard:). You run into a dear soul like Ted and think if I had only known him sooner. Maggie and family, Thank You for sharing Ted with us. It was an honor and a privilege to serve him."

"I am so sad to hear that our beloved Ted has passed away.. there are so many memories from the time i spent in the classes with him.. many times he would ask me to make him cookies, sometimes pulling me out of my other classes to do this.. he cared deeply for us students, he taught us a lot and tried to make the learning part fun.. he will forever remain in my heart forever.."

"A poem for all who loved him - Beannacht/Blessing by John O'Donohue On the day when the weight deadens on your shoulders and you stumble, may the clay dance to balance you. And when your eyes freeze behind the grey window and the ghost of loss gets in to you, may a flock of colours, indigo, red, green, and azure blue come to awaken in you a meadow of delight. When the canvas frays in the currach of thought and a stain of ocean blackens beneath you, may there come across the waters a path of yellow moonlight to bring you safely home. May the nourishment of the earth be yours, may the clarity of light be yours, may the fluency of the ocean be yours, may the protection of the ancestors be yours. And so may a slow wind work these words of love around you, an invisible cloak to mind your life."

"It is with great sadness that I write this letter. I will not be able to join everyone in Marquette to celebrate the life of Uncle Ted, and the many great memories it brings to the surface. I do so wish I could be there.The Bogdan family is once again in a transition. As Uncle Ted makes the trip to that great fly fishing stream in the sky, he leaves behind so many memories for all of us. Here are a couple of my favorite memories. I had made the trip to Marquette to give salmon fishing a try. He set me up with everything I needed for myadventure at the break of dawn. By the way, getting my full leg cast into the waders was quite a feat. I was only in the water for 20 minutes when I hooked my first salmon. I was able to get the net off from around my neck to net the fish. As I attempted to get the fish off of the hook, the hook went through my thumb instead. What to do!!! As I moved towards shore, so I could figure out what to do, I saw a flash of a small baseball bat come past my head. Another angler was kind enough to still the flopping salmon. When I returned to the Holiday Inn, so proud to show Uncle Ted my first salmon, he was holding a very similar small baseball bat and said, "by the way, don't ever go salmon fishing without one of these." I carry that scar on my thumb, and everytime I look at it, it reminds me of the great times in Marquette, and with Ted and Family. In high school, I would take friends to Marquette with me. And Uncle Ted always made my friends feel welcome. On one such trip, we were sitting in the dining room, and looking out on the well-lit courtyard with the crystalized snow. Had to be at least three feet deep throughout much of the courtyard. It was beautiful. What should we do with such beauty? One of my many bad decisions in life. Why we should go run around, roll around, and play in this beauty. It only took several minutes for us to destroy that beautiful scene. Uncle Ted soon joined us outside to explain it had taken the entire season for the courtyard to look the way it had that night. I may be paraphrasing here!!! And that the guests of the Holiday Inn, both travelers and locals, loved to sit and look out into that courtyard. I can say that my group of friends and I gained a new appreciation for nature that day. I could go on and on, with memories of New Lenox, Frankfort, the cabin, the Farm Shop, and the Holiday Inns in Joliet. From the Bogdans - well all over the place."

"Mary Bogdan-Hensold"

"THIS Hi Mary, Here is a poem that came to mind that strikes me as perfect for a memorial to your dad. Please share it with your family. Ted Hensold GROUND MADE OF TREES The giants have fallen. I think I can hear the echo of their slow composition the centuries passing as note by note they fall into the forests silent music. Moss has run over their backs, mushrooms have sprung from the moss, mold has coated the fungal caps and the heartwood to has given itself to muffled percussion of insect and microbe that carpet of sound that gives the forest its rhythm. A nuthatch twits or a vole cheeps. The scent of decay rises like steam from a stewpot. Anywhere I set my foot a million lives work at metabolizing what has gone before them. The day is shortening and the winter wrens have something to say about that. I can almost give thanks that the soil will claim me but first allow me, dear life, a few more words of praise for this ground made of trees where everything is an invitation to lie down in the moss for good and become finally really useful, to pull closed the drapery of lichen and let the night birds call me home October 2008 HJ Andrews Experimental Forest Alison Hawthorne Deming"

"One of many memories that comes to mind to illustrate how my fathers love of nature continues to kindle our enthusiasm of the same is that of the first time my son, Sam, and his wife, Natalie, and I went cranberry picking with him out at Kawbawgam. While he could not easily venture into the woods anymore, he insisted on showing us his favorite spot while he sat in the car as we went searching. He said wed know the cranberries instantly because they were like red jewels nestled in the green hummocks of moss. We ventured out as the first magical snow began to fall and soon discovered that they were exactly the jewels he described. As many of you know, along with his love for nature, my father had a great love for others, no matter who he came into contact with, whether the homeless folks hed bring home to feed and clothe (he told us they were war buddies) or the statesmen that frequented the Holiday Inn. The story I think of that illustrates the impact of this love is the story of the Hindu god, Indra, whose net covers the world, emitting a glow at each bejeweled node, reflecting and increasing each others beauty, creating an infinite luminescence.From our own experience and from what others tell us, I believe that my dads love is akin to Indras net, and I challenge each of us to maintain that brilliance."

"My Dad, Ted Bogdan, was not a perfect man, but he brought into my life abundant treasures. He introduced me to the pleasure of growing things; his artists palate included gardens that would have been the envy of Monet. He brought into my life the gift of Maggie who, in turn, brought into her life and loved 7, yes, 7 children. He showed me the fine artistry of preparing a meal, attending to the symmetry of flavors, textures, adventure, colors, temperature, sharing and meaning. Through him I learned the exquisite, endless mysteries of a pungent forest floor. He taught me always to be kind. A few years ago, when with the aid of his walking staff he could still make his way to the shore of Lake Superior, he urged me to take advantage of time to rise with him before dawn and make our way to the beach for sunrise. To my deep regret, I declined, but that unique invitation still makes me feel immeasurably fortunate to have had Ted Bogdan as my Father."

"Dear Loni, so sorry to hear the news about your brother . You are all in my thoughts and prayers . Love , Carol & Don"

"Ted was my instructor at Northern. Ted taught me a lot about food service, management, and life. I will truly miss him and his wisdom."

"I am so sorry to hear of Ted's passing. He was a good friend of my mother's. My condolences to the Bogdan Family."

"Our condolences to the family and friends of Ted Bogdan. An incredible gentle man. Our thoughts and prayers are especially there for Jeannie and all of her Mahoneys. With love, Kitsy and Jack"

"Farewell to a fine man, an extraordinary forager, cook, and fly fisherman. He was certainly one those who nudged our community forward, and set standards for the entrepreneurial food scene we enjoy today. He will be missed by a great many people."

"Mr. Bogden was an entrepreneur in life who brought ideas and flavors to the UP years ago. I had the privilege to work for him at the Holiday Inn in the 70's and found his reverence as a leader a trait to strive for. He has inspired this community through his endeavors and will be remembered for countless accomplishments and being instrumental in NMU's culinary program, wonderful restaurants and his love for this area. Rest in peace Mr. B..."

"A part of my heart is gone with Ted. I met Ted when he was 44 and I was 27. I worked for him at the Holiday Inn and again at the Old Marquette Inn for a total of about 16 years. He was there for me when no one else was during a difficult time in my life. He was also there during the happiest times of my life. My strongest memories are of a younger Ted, raising seven children and building a Holiday Inn. Marquette was not a place where new business could start up easily. He won over those who could let a stranger build in their town. He won the people over with his plates of "puffed mushrooms" and his smile as he walked through his Viking Lounge where lights moved and waves roared, all part of his vision. People would ask, "Who's that Gardner working out there in the beautiful garden?" It was Ted, the man in the off white cable sweater, white cotton turtle neck and beige corduroys, who worked in that garden. Always the same clothes, summer or winter. He and his beloved friend John Voelker snuck off to fish and gather berries and mushrooms, re-energizing himself so that he could come back and entertain his guests in the way only Ted could. You could find him welcoming people beside his huge fireplace where birch logs were stacked for burning, even on Christmas Eve. He loved his employees like family members. He knew about their families and never failed to ask about them and share his family stories when he saw you. He found Maggie along the way and brought her into his full life. Together they built a house on the Lake where he said he wanted to sit in a rocker and watch nature. Over the last couple of years Ted had been working with my husband, Bob, on his memoirs. He called one day and I said, "Are you looking for Bob?" He said, "No, I just wanted you to know I love you." I love you too, Ted."

"Kathy and Bogdan Family, I am sorry to hear of your dads passing. I hope you find solace in friends and family during this difficult time. Rah"

"To the Bogden Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you during the time of loss. Corky and Judy"

"Chef Ted Bogdan was my mentor and inspirartion. He saw something in me that others did not in both my culinary and leadership skills. He kept me on a very straight path of my education at NMU as well as The Culinary Institute of America. There are many stories I often tell about Ted, but this is one of my favorites.... I was about three quarters the way through NMU's Hospitality management program and Ted and Dave pulled me into Ted's office one day. If you don't know Ted's office it is pretty petite for the three of us to be in there, and pretty intimidating for a student to have these two power house chef's sandwiching you in. Ted proceeded to tell me that it was time for me to move on from NMU and to seek another school to continue my culinary growth. This was much to my shock as I thought surely it was going to be a conversation about something in regards to my free spirited behavior. It was a lengthy conversation in which I was encouraged to attend the Culinary Institute of America. Spring break was fast approaching so I made arrangements to drive out there and visit the school and do some of the admissions pretests. I was in awe from the first moment I pulled into the parking lot. I told my Mom at that moment that I would get into this school for Ted. After the tour, testing, and interview I was told it was going to be 1 to 2 years before I could be accepted or attend. For the first time in my life I politley/forcefully told the admissions officer "No, I will be coming here sooner/that I had a reason to be here". Should have seen the look on her face. Two weeks went by and during a class with Ted his phone rang, he then came back from answering it and said "Mileski you need to take the call in my office now" - I had no idea what it was concerning. He followed me in and as I picked up the phone I saw a glimmer in his eye and he cracked the slightest smile. It was the CIA accepting me to start August just a few short months away. I hung up that phone and before I knew it i was embraced with a bear hug (that I will claim lifted me off the ground from a 75 year old man). My life had changed forever. I have gone on to achieve many things in my career since then (Certified Executive Chef/3 time U.P. Chef of the Year/Gold & Silver Medals in National Culinary Competitions), all of which Ted is there in my credits. I could never thank him enough and will never forget all he did for me. It was an honor and a privilage to have spent time with him on this earth. He told me once, " You have a fire in your belly for cooking, it is up to you to keep it lit" - My response now would be: It is easy to do so when you have a great mentor to always light sparks. May his family, friends, and students celebrate this amazing man. I know he will be fishing, foraging, and cooking in a better place."

"How does one pay tribute to Ted Bogdan? I knew him as a true gentleman, and a kind man. He always had a friendly greeting. More so, he was an inspiration to many of us in the hospitality industry. He set the standard for service when he took a chance and built the Holiday Inn of Marquette.Ted had a passion for great food and drink, but his true talent was how he connected with people. His unassuming, humble ways, made him endearing to all who met him. He made you feel like it was his honor to take care of your needs.This is what hospitality is all about, and Ted knew it. There are a few names that have been trail blazers in Marquette as far as hospitality and culinary arts. They were the start of moving Marquette where it needed to be to prosper in todays tourism industry. People like Harlan Larson, Clark Lambros, and now, Ted Bogdan have left their mark on this community. May we always be thankful for their efforts and for their inspiration to help our community grow. May the good Lord embrace Ted's soul and grant peace to his family in their loss of this tremendous man."

"Some people touch your life and leave an indelible mark. Ted touched mine and I was the better for it. He made a positive impact on me and the children's museum. We are both lucky to have known him. Rest in peace you wonderful man. You have done so much good for so many."

"So many thoughts and yet I can not seem to get the proper words out. I only knew Ted for about 20 years. My husband introduced us, as he had been Ted's student years prior. He was family. He was generous. He marked each of our lives in a way that will never be forgotten. Much love to you Maggie, his children and everyone who loved him. Ted, we will always celebrate you."

"To the Bogdan family, I just heard about Teds passing and wanted to share with you how saddened I am for your loss. Ted was such an amazing person, he had a very positive impact on my life and helped inspire me to become the person I am today. I feel very privileged to have had him as my instructor and friend. He was so beyond his years with his talent and passion for food. When coming back home to the U.P. to visit family, I would often bump into Ted either in the produce section of Econo foods or at a local restaurant. We would share in how our families were doing and how the hotel business was treating me. The thing that made Ted so special is that he cared about people. He lived and breathed the hospitality industry from every angle. He truly enjoyed life. I hope you are able to find comfort in what a remarkable person Ted was and how he impacted so many people. His contribution to the community and to the hospitality industry will not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time."

"Sending my heartfelt condolences and much love to the Bogdan Family at this difficult time. With utmost respect and affection, Pam Mineau-Nagelkirk"

"I am so sorry to hear of Ted's passing...I met him almost 30 years ago when I worked at the Buckhorn...he and an elderly gentleman would come in and play cribbage quite a bit...then in more recent years I would see him and his wife at the Brownstone for dinner sometimes with Don Curto and his wife Pat it was always a pleasure to see them...my heart goes out to all of his family."

"Ted was the best kind of man. He was very kind to me when I was in my early 20s and had no ability to repay his kindness. He didn't care; that's just the way he was. His kids were like my brothers and sisters in the early 70s. Well except for Mary, that is, who I liked better than a sister. I'll never forget the summer in Marquette when Tom and Mike and I did our best to patch together the old wooden knockabout we found somewhere. Mary and I sailed it out by Maggie's house on M28 and the rudder broke free and we had to beach it. We could only watch as the waves broke over the old hull and filled her with sand. I never ate kishka and eggs for breakfast before I met Ted. I have a hundred great memories of Ted, and not a bad one in the lot of them. So long, old friend."

"My initial encounter with Ted was in the early '80's when a friend of mine was an Egg Vendor that Ted utilized when he was operating the "Roost" above the "Old Northland Hotel". A few years later while enrolled in the 1st Culinary Arts Associate Degree program offered at the "Skills Center" I became fully acquainted with beauty & wisdom of Ted's wonderful, wonderful spirit & zest for living. This wise man counted John Voellker a.k.a. Rob't. Travers & Don Curto among his contemporaries! They don't make'm like this any more!"

"I only had the chance to meet Mr. Bogdan a couple of times. They were when I was with my dad Tom Schloegel at food shows or special events that they often crossed paths. Both men very well respected professional in the hospitality industry shared the passion for great food from scratch and service that is hard to find in todays market. I remember my dad asking about bakery and on many occasions calling Ted to ask his opinion or advice. I too share that passion, all bet it in my own kitchen with my family and friends. Thank you Ted for your contributions to so many lives whether you knew it or not. A proud Legacy is all I can hope to leave behind such as yours. Grace of God be with you all."

"I will keep this simple. Ted was one of the most genuine people I have ever met. There is no doubt in my mind that if not for the influence he had on me I would have never became as good of a chef as I am today. He will truly be missed. Your family will be in my prayers."