Bernard John Mogan

West Point, 1965

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Rick Bunn on July 7, 2012:

I met John just 6 years ago. I have never met a man with whom a friendship developed faster. I immediately felt like we were the best of friends. Fairly soon after meeting John, I underwent hip replacement surgery and ever since then he referred to me as "BB" because we were then "Bionic Brothers" given that he already had a few artificial parts. He and his wonderful wife, Dyanne, quickly became close friends with whom my wife and I could enjoy dinners and outings such as our wonderful trip to West Point for our 45th Class Reunion. It was a few months before that trip that John, as a member of Fred Laughlin's nominating committee for Class Officers, asked me to consider accepting a nomination to join the leadership team as the Secretary/Scribe. My reaction was not only No, but Hell No. However, John never let up with his friendly but persuasive style, and by the time we were traveling East, I had relented and eventually was elected to the office. On several occasions I made it very clear that I would never forgive him for what he had talked me into. However, truth be known, he saw something I couldn't even guess and I couldn't be happier with the job. His belief that I could handle the position was one of the greatest blessings I have received and I only hope that he knows how much I appreciate it. It was torture watching my dear friend go through the past year, but I can honestly say I have never known anyone who handled adversity with more grace, humor, and class than he. Be thou at peace my friend, you are missed.

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