George Harold Vogelsperger died unexpectedly on October 23rd, 2018 at the age of 73, while on a walk with his friend, Ken Kolacinski.
George was born on March 8th, 1945 in Queens, New York to Harold and Margaret Vogelsperger. Some of George’s happiest childhood memories are of his family’s time in Long Island Sound on the Willabet, the wooden boat Harold bought when George was a baby. He earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1965 and, in 1972, graduated in the inaugural class of the United States’ first masters-level program in Computer Science, both at Pratt Institute. George built his first stock drag racing car in 1963 and competed in NHRA events throughout the U.S. until 1971, winning trophies and breaking hearts from coast to coast.
In 1968, George took Patricia Meyer to see South Pacific at the Jones Beach Theater. It was the first date they had each been on in their lives. George and Patricia married two years later and celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary earlier this month.
George worked for more than 30 years as a systems engineer for IBM. After retiring from IBM, George worked for Patricia at World Cup Nursery School and Gym, where he served as the school’s bookkeeper, all-around problem solver, and mascot. George and Patricia retired in 2006, moving to Illinois to spend more time with their grandchildren. In retirement, George spent his days picking his grandchildren up at school, fixing toys, working on one of his many computers, and volunteering at Marionjoy Rehabilitation Hospital.
George was a fixture at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, attending every Indianapolis 500 from 1954 through 2018. In 1986, George joined the United States Auto Club’s Timing & Scoring Department, eventually becoming the Indianapolis 500’s Chief Pit Scorer. George was also an avid photographer, sprint car racing fan, and data junkie. More than anything, though, George loved chaotic afternoons with his grandchildren and quiet evenings with Patricia.
George is survived by his devoted wife and best friend, Patricia Vogelsperger; his son, Gregory; daughter-in-law, Theresa; his six grandchildren, Emily, Paul, John, Katherine, Sara, and Matthew; and his sister, Joan Weisse. George will be buried next to his and Patricia’s beloved son, Russell, on October 31, 2018, in Chappaqua, New York.