John C. Ogden ’62

John died of complications from elective hip-replacement surgery June 25, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. 

He studied biology at Princeton and was a member of the Woodrow Wilson Society and the Broken Arrows. He earned a Ph.D. from Stanford in biological science in 1968.

John became passionate about subtropical ecosystems; first, as director of the Fairleigh Dickinson University West Indies Laboratory on St. Croix; and later as director of the Florida Institute of Oceanography, a 21-member statewide consortium of universities and institutes that operated two oceanographic ships and the Keys Marine Laboratory at the University of South Florida.

He published more than 70 papers, contributed to numerous books, and produced several television programs about tropical ecosystems. He also served as a consultant to governmental agencies and private foundations.

John introduced a generation of students to the excitement and wonder of the ocean and to the need for new national and global policies to govern ocean resources.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nancy; daughter Lisa Ogden and partner Jake Mangiofico; son Eric, his wife Lara and son Kai; and John’s sister Rita and her family. The class offers its condolences.