Victor M. Bogdan

Born in Timmins, Ontario, Canada, he was the only child of Romanian parents, Nicholas and Sylvia (Wrsoin) Bogdan. At age 8, Victor and his parents immigrated to the United States, and settled in Metro-Detroit, Michigan, where Victor remained a lifelong resident and prominent designer in the automotive industry.

In 1954, at only 14, Victor’s budding passion for design and automobiles garnered the attention of the Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild for the submission of his first model car of his own original design. By 1961, Victor had earned the Guild’s highest honors, taking the Styling Scholarship Award and the First State and Regional Award.

After graduating from Cooley High School in 1958, he pursued a degree in automotive design at Art Center College of Design¬ Pasadena, and enjoyed a vibrant career with Ford Motor Company, where he worked in Detroit as well as London, England. He proudly served his country in the Army National Guard Reserves.

In his private life, Victor was a profoundly dynamic, creative, and kind family man and everyone’s friend. He was a calm, down-to-earth, humble man with a fascinating, unpredictable sense of humor. He was a strong man of faith who loved animals and the outdoors, and he always saved room for dessert.

Victor is survived by his loving wife, Laura (Fisher) Bogdan; children, Tanya (Larry), Hamilton of Rochester Hills, Kent (Mari) Bogdan of Minneapolis, MN, and Chad (Kate) of St. Paul, MN; step-children, C.T. (Nina Fattahi) Terry of Brooklyn, NY, Patrick Terry of Roseville, and Sheila (Jordan) Eddy of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Ella, Jack, Max, and Will; and four-legged companion, Libby.

Visitation will be 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2015 at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Elk Rapids, with a Vigil for Victor at 7:00 p.m. Mass from the Order of Christian Funerals will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 9, 2015; with Rev. Robert J. Zuchowski presiding. Visitation will be held one hour prior to mass. Memorial contributions made to the National Parkinson’s Foundation or the Michigan Humane Society are appreciated. Please share a memory with the family at www.covellfuneralhomes.com Arrangements entrusted to Covell Funeral Home, Elk Rapids.