In Remembrance: John H. Hoagland ’51 Died on May 1 2013

Jack Hoagland, whose perceptivity and affection for others will always be remembered, passed after a brief illness May 1 at his Cape Cod home, surrounded by the family who adored him. His entrance to Yale in the fall of 1947 opened a world of song, deep fellowship, and family that, in addition to his faith, formed his life’s core. Elected Freshman Glee Club president, he went on to sing with Yale’s O&Bs, the Glee Club,  and with the Whiffenpoofs, his band of brothers. He was a member of Deke and Berzelius. In his book of poetry, Ariel View, published in 2003, he paid tribute to English professor and master of Berkeley College Samuel Hemingway, as well as Theodore Sizer Sr., professor of art history, “who always wore his opera cape to our Glee Club concerts.”  On a joint singing weekend with the Smithereens of Smith College, he met Sally Ray, who would become his beloved wife of 48 years, and mother to their four children and nine admired grandchildren. After ten years with the Central Intelligence Agency, he launched a nearly three-decade career as a research and marketing consultant,  serving clients as varied as Renault (headquartered in his beloved Paris) and Vermont’s Dunham Boot company.  Recruited by the Christian Science church during an intense period of transition prior to the rise of electronic media, he devoted his days to envisioning an enduring role for the Christian Science Monitor in the digital age. Subsequent to his work for the church, he founded Ecology Channel, an award-winning multimedia production company. Following Sally’s passing,  as what he called “evidence of God’s grace,”  he married Netty Douglass. Their love affair and constant companionship was highlighted by their commitment to church,  their ever-open arms to ever-appearing relatives and friends,  trips to Provence, beaching, and birding.  One of his proudest moments was attending the Yale graduation of his granddaughter, Kelsey Clark, class of 2009. 

Contributions may be sent to Yale University. Please designate Hendrie Hall Glee Club Campaign, PO Box 2038, New Haven, CT 06510. 

—Submitted by the family.