NE counselor, professor, dies at 59
World traveler, anthropology expert touched lives
by KC Jones, feature editor

    NE Campus faculty member of over 30 years, Dr. Albert G. Mogor, professor of anthropology and counselor, died at home last month.

   Debbie Kaiser, academic advisor and former student of Mogor, began working with him in the counseling center January 1995. Kaiser spoke at his memorial service.

   “He loved traveling. He took a big trip every summer to exotic places most people have never even heard of. He lived with the natives and would hire an interpreter,” she said.

   A visit to Mogor’s office would clue anyone to the fact that he taught anthropology. His office was filled with artifacts and photos from his trips.

   "His office was a little museum. I was startled the first time I visited his office and saw what looked like a shrunken head hanging on the wall,” Kaiser recalled.

   Mogor’s real world adventures were a valuable asset to his teaching.

   “His students always enjoyed it thoroughly because he had the experiences, not just a book learning class,” Kaiser said.

   Georgia Kaspar, secretary of the humanities office, worked down the hall from Mogor for many years. She attended the memorial service and thought that the eulogy given by Dr. Tom Stover, former NE Campus dean, set the appropriate mood.

   “At first I was taken back, although just for a second, when Dr. Stover said he was surprised that Al Mogor had died and not from losing his head to headhunters. Then, he went on with many examples of situations that could have occurred, such as Mogor’s getting mauled by a polar bear in the Arctic Circle or trampled by water buffalo.

   “Dr. Stover’s eulogy really set the mood for fun remembrances. It was an exceptional memorial service,” she said.

   Kaspar has her own fond memories of Mogor.

   “Dr. Mogor was always so generous with people. If something needed doing, he would just do it. Many years ago, I had no credit cards and was struggling financially when I got a call that my brother was very ill and I should come visit. I didn’t have the money. Somehow, Dr. Mogor found out and handed me $200. I am sure I was just a drop in the bucket of all the people he helped. He was quite a unique person,” she said.

   Mogor’s brother, Joseph Mogor, is in the process of setting up a Dr. Albert G Mogor scholarship fund from money donated in lieu of flowers.

   Mogor also was survived by his mother Alice Wilson, niece Kimberly Mogor, numerous friends and his tabby cat Howard.