The American dream of a successful and happy life was celebrated Nov. 21 when nearly 200 friends and family members of Riverside resident Bill Vogel gathered at the Drake Oak Brook Hotel to toast the entrepreneur on his retirement from his company, DeCardy Diecasting of Chicago.

The invitation to the soiree read: “It’s time to praise the guy who has praised more people more often than anyone could imagine. Please join us in celebrating the retirement of BILL VOGEL — a great boss, a great friend, a great husband, a great dad and, most of all, a great person.”

Among those who proudly applauded the honoree was his wife, Victoria, and their six children, Will Jr., Henry, Vicky aka “Ginger,” Ann, Rachel and Amanda. One of the proudest was the retiree’s mother, Willa, who lives in Brookfield.

Said his wife, Victoria, “My life was spent in the era when mothers stayed home and cooked and cleaned for the family. We made sure the children were well educated and that they were given religious training.”

Indeed, all six children and the 17 grandchildren are benefiting from the love and care both parents gave their offspring.

Ginger recalled why their dad became the successful business man and loving husband and father he is today.

“Bill never really groused nor complained about his work. Dad enjoys working and looks forward to taking on a project, in learning something new. He is a real people person.

“As a young child I recognized that even in the hardware business, selling nuts and bolts, there was a sense of pride, of accomplishment. He had fun.”

Bill Vogel’s life in sales was further described by Ginger’s childhood recollection of a “fancy mahogany paneled office with its own bathroom, in a cool apartment. He would shuttle between locations, and he frequently brought our mother, or one of us kids. One time he brought his in-laws, Ruth and Vic Kappelmann, and his sister-in-law, Kay. I think I won a ski coat playing liar’s poker at the famed Book Binders restaurant in Philadelphia on one of those trips.”

Ginger paused and added, reflectively, “Good times, good memories.”

One of the outstanding memories the Vogel kids share is “peanuts.” Their dad would bring airline peanuts to the children on his return. When airlines were cutting expenses, perhaps only one pack per passenger was the rule. Poor Dad had to hope the stewardess was in good spirits and would part with six bags, or he would sweet talk other passengers into donating theirs, telling them of the six hungry mouths waiting for him at home.

Ruth and Vic Kappelmann, Victoria’s mom and dad, made it in from Missouri for the party, as did Kay, his sister-in law. Vic, a genial fellow, made sure everyone knew he is now 97 years old, and Ruth is only 92. They are still enjoying life.

Bill Vogel’s toughest sales job came 23 years ago when he approached his wife and his parents to propose the idea of buying a die casting company. He welcomed the obstacles and risks of owning his own business. After years of successfully learning while working for others, he was confident of his own worth.

Two years ago, Will Jr. and his wife, Suzanne of Riverside, bravely purchased the century old DeCardy Diecasting company, and another generation of business adventure has been born into the world of the American dream, that of running one’s own business.

Following daughter Ginger Schander’s informative and loving toast to her father, a third generation of Vogels spoke.

“Hello, everyone! I hope you are having a good time tonight! My name is Cora Schander, I am 9 years old and I am Bill’s granddaughter. I am the host of this quiz show entitled ‘What is Grandpa Bill up to now?’”

Cora used two of her cousins, Taylor Vogel and Gus Forseth, as contestants. Questions followed. “Who will be called upon to fetch hot fudge sundaes for Grandfather?” She gave the cousins multiple choice possibilities, none plausible. The contestants never had a chance to give a correct answer — there was none.

After Will Jr. presented his parents with a silver claret jug engraved with a quotation from Shakespeare and signed by their kids, the happy retiree, wearing a red rose in his lapel, expressed his love for the people assembled. His closing words were “The name of the game is people.”

The Vogels sold the family home and are now living in Riverside in a carefree condo. No more snow shoveling, no more grass cutting; with 17 grandchildren Bill and Victoria are anticipating happy times ahead.