Obituary of Mark Joseph Hogan

Mark Joseph Hogan, 74, of Iowa City passed away peacefully surrounded by family on September 8, 2020. Mark was born to Adrian Hogan and Mary (Erickson) Hogan on February 8, 1946, in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was raised with four siblings — Sheila, Anne, Jim, and Maggie — and his family moved to Clinton, Iowa while he was in elementary school. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1964. Mark went on to study economics at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. When he got his hands on a Leica camera, he discovered a passion for photography, which led him to pursue a master’s in photojournalism at the University of Iowa. As part of the master’s program, he spent two summers traveling and photographing Europe in the 1970s. He had an eye for capturing spontaneous portraits and candid street scenes. He developed in black and white. While finishing up his master’s, Mark met the love of his life Tara (Small) Hogan. In 1977, they married and remained in Iowa City, raising their two daughters Molly and Clara. In his early career, Mark worked as a research analyst at the Iowa Employment Service in Davenport and as a freelance photographer for various publications including local papers and the Associated Press. He retired in 2012 after working for more than 30 years at the University of Iowa’s Registrar’s Office. Mark’s wit didn’t let him take life too seriously. A common conversation starter was, “I got one for ya,” followed by a joke, pun, or story. He was always providing a reason for a laugh. And those who knew him will always remember his endearing chuckle and Irish-eyed smile. Mark enjoyed golf, reading, philosophy, poetry, and music. He was known to have a good record playing, often by one of his favorite artists, Bob Dylan. Mark also had a fascination with words, writing poems spontaneously and editing a draft in his head for years before putting it on paper. Photography continued to be his lifelong passion, with an eye toward capturing his children and grandchildren later in life. Mark is survived by his wife, Tara Hogan; daughters and their partners Molly Slaughter (Josh) and Clara Hogan (Brian Hogan Stewart); grandchildren Keegan, Sam, and Sophia Slaughter, and Etta Hogan; siblings and their partners Sheila Mulcahy (Ryan), Anne Wareham (Jerry), Jim Hogan (Theresa), Maggie Hogan (Bill Wilder); as well as nieces, nephews, and other family members. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, as well as beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins. Mark will be deeply missed. Details on a forthcoming celebration of Mark’s life will be updated here once finalized. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI). Untitled by Mark Hogan The seed that lies deep in the weeds And will grow; Fell from the Cained chair And got life. The bones that lie soft in the grave Can’t be saved. But a dog with a tune Could bring down the moon. The wild grapes that go to the head But don’t stay; Grew by a tower and died. I have drunk the demon jinn. I’ve been staid, And I’ve rambled again. God knows where I’ve been.