Walter L. "Ben" Hogan passed away in Birmingham, Al on Monday December 26, 2022 at the age of 93. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren deeply and much of the happiness we share as a family is directly from the extraordinary life that he shared with us. He was known for his scholarly pursuit of medicine, his love for fishing, hunting and golf and he particularly enjoyed celebrating with his friends in all these endeavors. Throughout it all he loved Mobile and it fit his lifestyle perfectly. He grew up in humble conditions in downtown Mobile during the depression era. He graduated from Murphy High School in 1945 and left for Vanderbilt University on scholarship at the age of 15. He became an excellent student with the unique interest of not only wanting to make a good grade but in truly understanding the material he was learning. He had a keen thirst for knowledge which he later passed on to his children and grandchildren. He graduated from Vanderbilt in 1949 and remained very proud of that achievement his entire life. His growth there served him well on all fronts and his interests were broad. He particularly loved chemistry at that time and while teaching in graduate school at Auburn University he met the love of his life, Janet Chandler. They later married in 1955 while he was attending the University of Alabama School of Medicine. Soon thereafter they left for Parkland Hospital in Dallas, TX for his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He came to Mobile in 1961 to set up private practice. He had a particular interest in reproductive endocrinology and he was the first physician in Mobile to perform laparoscopic gynecologic procedures. During his 50 year medical career he was always considered a great clinician, loved by patients and colleagues alike. He also loved to teach and remained a clinical professor at the University of South Alabama School of Medicine until he retired at age 82. While medicine and scholarly pursuits were the backbone of much of who he was, it was his articulate personality, the way he expressed himself and his zest for life that are remembered by most. He was a gifted man with many talents and always seemed to be busy with something. He had so many fishing stories, from catching a striped marlin off Ecuador, to many trips by boat or plane to the Chandeleur Islands to capture the wild speckled trout. In his case, the tall tale merged into the truth. He was a great adventurer but particularly enjoyed the experiences he had sharing this with friends. Many of the stories are legendary. He picked up a pilots license along the way, became an agent for Magnum Marine (while using their boats) and had many excursions into the Mobile Delta for hunting or fishing. He also became an excellent golfer. Although never playing until after college, he practiced and became a low handicap player for many years. He even enjoyed a round with The Ben Hogan at Shady Oaks CC while he was in residency. Of all of his golf experiences however it was the friends and their comaraderie that meant the most to him. His years playing golf and gin rummy with his cronies at the Country Club of Mobile were central to his life and what he loved. The relationships he made, even with staff members at The Club, remained special for him throughout his life. It became even more clear that they were like a family for him when his beloved wife passed away suddenly 22 years ago (January 2000). As a family we are so grateful that he had such a wonderful place for friendship and support in his life. In regards to his kids he always used to say that he couldn't believe "how well his kids turned out." He loved each of his kids dearly and each in their own way. He enjoyed spending time with us even with all the adventures he was living. Often we were part of them. He was always quick to add that the only successes his kids had were "due to their mother." There is no doubt that he was partly right but it is undeniable how much he inspired us to work hard, appreciate our friends and make the best of whatever passion calls us. Finally, it must be said that he was a bit mischievous at times. That was who he was and it remained throughout his life. Even in his final year, with dementia progressing and his faculties declining, he could still throw a wink or crack a wry smile and we knew, despite the changes, he was in there. He lived a full life. The grandkids fortunately were able to see many of the features that made him such a remarkable man and he loved them dearly. They have also heard so many "PawPaw" stories that they will always know how special he was. He lives on in our hearts. In addition to his wife Janet Chandler Hogan, he is preceded in death by his father Walter L. Hogan, Sr, mother Mary Rosanna Batchelor Hogan and his brother Elwood Leon Hogan, Sr. He is survived by his four children: Laura Brand, Richard Hogan (Linda), Michael Hogan (JoAnn) and Stacy Pulliam (Scott) as well as his grandchildren Alison Brand, William and Lindsey Hogan, Bennett and Mary Hogan as well as Rob and Chandler Pulliam. The family would also like to extend a special thanks to Martha Brown for her loving kindness (and patience) through the years in Mobile after Mom passed. Similarly, we owe a debt of gratitude to Susan Gann in Birmingham for her enthusiastic and thoughtful support at home when his decline progressed. You both added much to his life and were a tremendous support to us.
1928 - 2022
The family invites you to join us for a Memorial Service at Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery at 10 a.m. on Saturday January 7, 2023
Knowing Ben through the years at church, as well as the Country Club was a privilege and wonderful experience. I regret that I will miss the service celebrating his life, and my thoughts and prayers are with all of the family for the void that his life journey ending has created. His life eternal has been begun, and thanks be to God for his time with us.