Alvi Osmond Voigt June 9, 1928 September 30, 2017

Alvi, 89, of State College died Saturday September 30, 2017, at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Born in Reading, he was the third of six children of Reverend H. William Voigt and Ethel Helena Osmond Voigt. On December 28, 1950, he married his best friend, Janice Louise Warner, of West Reading, who survives at home.

In 1937, his father died, leaving his mother to raise six children. Two years later he entered the Milton Hershey School. During his senior year at MHS, he was accepted into the naval aviation midshipman program which included a complete college education, and five years as a U.S. Navy Aviator in Squadron VC 33, flying carrier aircraft, landing “a brick on a paper plate.” Alvi attended Albright College in Reading from 1946 to 1948, serving in the Navy from 1948 to 1953. He then enrolled at Penn State, earning his B.S. and M.S. degrees.

In September 1956, with just a handshake, he accepted his lifetime work in Penn State’s Agricultural Extension Service as an Assistant Professor, retiring as Professor Emeritus in Agricultural Economics in 1991. Al was the first at Penn State to interview and collect information from commercial horticulture businesses. He was fortunate to work closely with great people in the PSU Extension Service, county extension offices, USDA, and commercial operations including the Ecke poinsettia ranch in California, a carnation producer in Colorado and many producers and retail operations in Pennsylvania. He wrote for PA Greenhouse Grower, PA Retail Florists, Bedding Plants Incorporated, PA Christmas Tree Growers, and the SAF – Society of American Florists. He received many awards for his work, and for 12 years after retiring, continued writing his monthly flower industry newsletter.

Al and Jan enjoyed many beach vacations together with family at the Jersey shore and with friends at Juno Beach, Fla. and swam many laps with friends at the Welch Pool. Al enjoyed a good card game, always counting cards and teaching the kids and grandkids how to play. He enjoyed being in Dr. Karl Stoedefalke’s PSU noontime exercise group, and jogging around Rec Hall and the Blue-White golf courses.

He is survived by Janice, his wife of 66 years; and three children, son John Voigt and wife Karen Kosinuk Voigt, of Clarks Summit, daughter Ann Voigt Murray and husband Riley Allen Murray, of Waynesboro, Va., and Jean W. Voigt, of Boalsburg. Also surviving are eight grandchildren (six of whom are fourth generation Penn State Alums): Kristen Kostick, Kelly Horn, Russell J. Voigt, James R. Murray, Erin Murray, Ellen Saxena, Margaret Silverman, William R. Wallace; and six great grandchildren, Luke, Drew, and Grace Kostick, Olivia Baracaldo Murray, Colin Horn, and Everett Silverman. Also surviving are brother Benjamin Voigt and sisters Thalia Gubler and Yvonne Molloy. Brothers H. William Voigt and David Q. Voigt preceded him in death.

Service will be at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, State College, at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 7, 2017, with reception to follow. Donations may be made to the Salvation Army or the charity of your choice. Share condolences with the family at Published in Centre Daily Times on Oct. 4, 2017

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