Howard Orrin Zogott
November 16, 1945 – February 13, 2019
Howard Zogott, of blessed memory, passed away on February 13, 2019, at Stony Brook University Hospital on Long Island, of complications from an acute stroke he had suffered a month earlier. He was 73 years old.
Born in Philadelphia, PA, on November 16, 1945, Howard lived in that city until moving to Lawrenceville, NJ, in 1999 and then in 2017 to Oro Valley, AZ to live in the desert in view of his beloved mountains.
At Northeast High School, he began writing poetry and edited the school’s poetry magazine. Howard, at the age of 39, received his bachelor’s degree in theater arts at Temple University, then earned a master’s degree in library science at Drexel University, both in Philadelphia. Howard was a theater director, opera stage director, library director, and adjunct professor at the University of Arizona Graduate School of Library and Information Science. Before becoming a librarian, he held other jobs along the way while stage directing in the Philadelphia/NJ area, including working in a Marboro bookstore, a Sheraton Hotel and Holt’s Cigar store; he enjoyed a good cigar before reluctantly (but wisely) giving them up. Above all, his true love was poetry – as a reader, book collector, and accomplished poet.
At the Free Library of Philadelphia, Howard worked in various departments and branches throughout the system. He then moved to Yeadon (PA) Public Library as Director and ended his career as the Director at Cranbury (NJ) Public Library. As a librarian, he served on various state and national library committees including ALA’s Library Service for Older Adults and ALA’s Commission on Professional Ethics. He was passionate about programming for all ages, the importance of book selection, and especially loved reading stories during children’s story hours. He was known for taking the initiative and time to reach out to library visitors and for supporting library staff.
In retirement, Howard helped found PlayFest (annual one-act play festival), now in its eleventh year, at the Lawrence Branch of the Mercer County (NJ) Library System, directing many of the plays himself. With his love for opera and theater, Howard stage directed operas for Delphi Opera (PA) and Boheme Opera (NJ) as well as musical programs for Edward Bogusz and Friends. “Die Fledermaus” and “Barber of Seville” were acclaimed successes for Boheme Opera, where he also was a member of the Board. He was active in the Poetry Circle at the Lawrence Library, and read his poetry at open mics at the University of Arizona Poetry Center.
Howard loved to spend time in used bookshops, eat Asian food especially dim sum, explore art museums, travel, and write poetry about his adventures. Last November was a lifetime dream trip to Cambodia, Vietnam and Hong Kong. Attending the theater, opera, classical music programs and lectures was a major part of his life. He was a mensch: well read, full of trivia tidbits, resourceful and eager to share his knowledge. He had a terrific sense of humor and especially loved a good pun and telling stories. He was extremely generous to his friends and family, and much loved by all.
Howard is survived and sorely missed by his wife, Christina (Tina) Larsen Feick Zogott, of Oro Valley, AZ; his sister-in-law, Mary C. Zogott, of East Quogue, NY; his sister-in-law, Kay Larsen, of Wahiawa, HI; his niece, Jennifer Zogott Levy, of Brooklyn, NY; his nephew, Daniel Zogott and Daniel’s wife Jane, of Providence, RI; his great-nephew, Walter Zogott, also of Providence, RI; his former wife, Joyce Zogott-Onsted, of Pocono Lake, PA; and many cousins and friends that supported him through his hospitalization. He was predeceased by his parents Frank and Molly (Goldstein) Zogott, and his brother Seymour S. Zogott, who died in January.
A service is planned for March or April in Arizona, with a memorial in New Jersey later in the year.
Donations may be sent in Howard’s name to:
University of Arizona Poetry Center
1508 E. Helen Street
Tucson, AZ 85721-0150
Att.: Tyler Meier, Executive Director
Or to a library of your choice.
May your family find comfort from our Heavenly Fathers ‘ words
found in 2 Corin 1:2-4 and remember the hope we have found in
John 5 : 28, 29. With my sincere and deepest condolences.
I’m so, so, SO sorry for your loss Tina. We all loved Howard muchly but knew his love for you was as wide as the universe. I’ll be in touch to see if there is anything you need me to do. Sending love and hugs. I’ll miss Howard’s jokes!
I extend my deepest sympathies to all of Howard’s family and friends. I knew him because he was Tina’s better half and came to many library conferences with her. I enjoyed each and every interaction with Howard. Such a great wit and great director. He will be missed.
So very sorry, Tina……sending sympathy to you and all of your families and bereaved ones……
Ona Kalstein
FLP retiree and friend
We enjoyed many a laugh during his days at The Free Library.
I am very sorry to learn of Howard’s death. He was a friend during his Philadelphia days. You have my sympathy in your great loss.
Tina, just learned at ER&L that Howard passed away. Andreas and I are shocked and feel with you. We want to share our feelings with you. We had always hoped to meet the two of you again in Vienna or some other famous music place. We will always remember the dinner parties at our home in Wiesbaden. We so much enjoyed having both of you around. Sending your sympathies to you.
Ulrike and Andreas
Tina, I am so sad for you and which I could give you some comfort. Please remember you many of us love you. Joyce in NC
Tina, Thank you for sharing this with us. We are forwarding a copy to Claire and Annie, so that they can know Howard better. They so treasured the time he spent with them in New Jersey, and wish there could have been more times together, as do we all. Much love, Myra and Herb
Tina
You know how I feel, Howard and I go back a long way and had a special connection. I hope you are taking care of yourself.
Love
Dorothy
Howard read to my boys at the Sanibel Library. He also taught us to put peanuts in Chinese Food. Some great laughs on mopeds as well. He had a great personality and will be missed.
Love,
Sandi & Shelly
How sad I feel that we lived so far away and so many years just flew by. I am so grateful that I have my childhood memories and Howard’s personality was in full bloom when he did his Johnny Ray impersonation. Our trips to Philadelphia were made so funny and joyous because of our cousin Howard… Our cousins cruise was one that will always be remembered and the pictures of all of us together will always be cherished. Remembering you my dear cousin with love and a smile on my face.
Tina, thank you for forwarding Howard’ obituary and sharing your precious time with us during Howard’ hospitalization. Howard was a very accomplished individual and a wonderful person. Cheri and I will always remember the dinners we spent with you and Howard when you visited Denver, although the dinners were few in number , they will always be remembered since the time was fun , thoughtful, educational, and brought back many memories of the old days and our family. Howard will be missed by one and all as he left a wonderful legacy—he made a difference in this world . He was a true Renaissance man.
Tina,
I am so saddened to learn of Howard’s passing. Whenever I saw the two of you together it was obvious how much he adored you. I always enjoyed my interactions with Howard. He had a had a great sense of humor and wit. The description of him as a “mensch” made me LOL.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
My heart is broken. I am so grateful that by the grace of God you and Howard and I connected in December 2018 and we got to catch up and share some good laughs like the old days. My Aunt Molly and Uncle Frank always used to say ” If Roberta and Howie weren’t cousins they would get married” . We shared so many good times. I miss him and hope he is enjoying his next journey with his family.
Tina,
My Heart is broken . I am so grateful that for the Grace of God we reconnected in December 2018 and had the chance to catch up and share some memories and laughs. I will truly miss Howard. A smile comes across my face when I think back on all the times we spent together. I remember my Aunt Molly and Uncle Frank always said, ” If Roberta and Howie weren’t cousins they would get married.
I hope he is enjoying his next journey with his family.
Love,
Roberta
Dear Tina: So many of us are glad that you and Howard finally got to move to AZ. The Village is a better place for you being here, and my memories if him will always be happy. Our first-meet was a portent of things to come; always great times. We are so pleased that you will stay here with us and will do whatever we can to soften your grief.
Beverly
It was always a pleasure to see Howard come through the doors of the Mercer County Library. His enthusiasms were contagious- for literature, art, music , and gourmet food. He was active in our Poetry Circle and spent many hours working with actors and staff to make our yearly PlayFest a success. I’m happy to have a collection of his poetry in a binder right at the corner of my desk to re-read when I want to remember what a fine poet he was. Some of the best ones are about you, Tina. I always looked forward to reading his poems and talking to him about them and all the other subjects he knew.
Ann
Howard was a good friend during our days working for the Pennsylvania Library Association. He had great empathy for people and was especially devoted to advancing library services for older adults. I haven’t seen Howard in many years, but I always remember him fondly. My deepest condolences to Tina and all those who knew and miss Howard.
I knew Howard through our work together in the Pennsylvania Library Association and the American Library Association. He always had a smile, a good story or joke and of course, a cigar. I am sad to hear the news so late in the year. My sincere condolences to his family and friends of whom I count myself as one of them. Keep smiling Howard. I am sure we will meet again.