Elbert E. Vogelsanger II

Elbert E. Vogelsanger II, 85, died Thursday, October 18, 2012 at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, MO. He was born April 12, 1927 at St. Ann's Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. His parents were Elbert E. Vogelsanger I and Opal M. Vogelsanger, now deceased. Elbert served in the United States Army during World War II and was discharged January 1948 from Camp Stoneman, California. He retired from McDonnell Aircraft Corporation in 1987 after 35 years of employment. He attended Parks College of Aeronautical Technology of St. Louis, University and graduated in 1952 with a degree in Aeronautical Administration. During his employment with McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, two of his assignments included Projects Mercury and Gemini in Cocoa Beach, Florida for seven years. The seven original astronauts and later ones were involved in those programs. Following that, he was sent to California for 13 years and was on a now declassified spy satellite program called Hexagon. He also spent two years in New York and shorter periods back in St. Louis. Another unusual assignment for Elbert included the Peace Sun Program in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 1980 to 1982. McDonnell sold 65 F-15 airplanes to the Saudi government and sent personnel to the country to teach them how to fly and maintain the planes plus provide management backup during that time. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Mary Sue (Finney) Vogelsanger who he married May 19, 1951 at St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau, MO; two sons, John Francis and wife Cynthia Vogelsanger of San Jose, CA and Stephen William Vogelsanger of Santa Clara, CA; grandchildren, Paul Ryan, Erin Michelle, James Eric; two step-grandsons, Sean and Steven Sczepanik. Friends may call Monday, October 22, 2012 from 2-6 p.m. at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home. A memorial mass will be held Thursday, October 25, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at Old St. Vincent's Catholic Church with Father Tom Kiefer officiating. Inurnment will follow at New Lorimier Cemetery at the Mausoleum. Memorial contributions may be given to the Salvation Army, Old St. Vincent's Catholic Church, Southeast Missouri Hospital Hospice, or a charity of choice.

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Elbert E. Vogelsanger II

October 18, 2012