Jim McCulley, PLPA President – I didn’t know Russ Hogue well, but I wish I had. We met only very briefly a few times. By the time I became a board member, Russ was already winding down his role with the PLPA. He’s somewhat of a legend here at the lake, and within the PLPA. If you mention his name to those who knew him a grin instantly flashes across their face. They remember his sense of humor, his kindness, his easy way and quick smile, and his dedication to Peck’s Lake and the lake community. What I do remember about Russ is seeing the HOGue sign at the top of his driveway on South Shore. Each time I drove past I had to chuckle. Russ even had a sense of humor about his name.
I’m told that Russ was an early member of the Peck’s Lake community – and that he built his “camp” here on the South Shore in the 1970s with help from friends and family. He was a charter member of the PLPA and served in several PLPA roles, including as a Board member and Chair of the Communications Committee. Russ provided the “Communications Update” in the PLPA’s Quarterly newsletter.
From reading Russ’s obituary, clearly his family came first in everything he did and how he lived. But it seems as if Peck’s Lake came a close second. Sharing the lake with his friends and family gave him great joy.
We all owe Russ a debt of gratitude for being such a great neighbor, friend, and steward and lover of the lake and the lake community. Peck’s Lake is a beautiful and peaceful sanctuary, but it’s the people, like Russ Hogue, that truly make it special.
For those wanting to make a donation in memory of Russ, his family asked that those donations go to the PLPA. While we mourn our loss, even in his passing he is working to make the lake a better place. I’m sorry I didn’t get to know Russ better, but I do know that Peck’s Lake is a better place that he was here.