COLUMBUS
Robert L. Engel passed away in his sleep at Parkside Court on Saturday morning, May 25, 2024. He was 92 years old.
Bob was born in Napoleon, Indiana on October 12, 1931 to Ralph and Hilda Engel. Like his older sister, Evelyn, and his younger brother, Floyd, Bob attended Napoleon High School. A member of the Napoleon basketball team, he once made a game-winning basket for the opposition, earning himself the nickname “Wrong Way Engel.” When it came time to serve his country, however, Bob did not need reminding whose side he was on. He enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean Theater and served from 1952 to 1956. As Radio Tower Operator, he once diverted several planes from their flight plan to keep them out of an enemy strikezone. He was reprimanded for compromising the mission, and he was thanked by the pilots for saving their lives.
Once home from the war, Bob and his wife Patricia moved to Columbus, where he worked for Cummins Engine Company as a computer programmer. Though he was successful in his role, eventually being promoted to a Systems Programming Manager, Bob found his fulfillment outside of work. He wrote several programs for local organizations, including the Boy Scouts, and served on a number of boards: Ceraland Park, First Lutheran Church, and the Columbus Men’s Bowling Association.
Bob retired from Cummins in the summer of 1985 and built a retirement home on Country Squire Lake. After years of fun with the boat, which Bob would captain for his daughters and other brave souls willing to be towed by tube or ski. Bob and Pat bought a home in Florida to escape the Indiana winters.
Bob was an avid sports enthusiast, with a special love for basketball, softball, golf, and bowling. He was a friend to everyone he met and was always the first to strike up a conversation (“What did you think of the game last night?”). He was a handyman, fixing his vehicles in the garage (and breaking tools when the fixing wasn’t going well). He was a reader, passing around brown paper bags of mystery novels with friends. He was a husband, loved by his wife of 65 years. He was a father, loved by his daughters. He was a man who always tried to live according to the advice he gave his family: treat others how you want to be treated.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Hilda Engel; and older sister, Evelyn Eisert and nephews Bob &Steve Eisert. He is survived by his younger brother, Floyd (Mary) Engel; wife, Patricia Engel; daughters, Denise (Lisa Elkins) Engel, Darcy (Steve) Heyerdahl; and grandsons Jake Heyerdahl and Mason Engel. Brother-in-law, J C Fellerman (Marilyn) Other immediate family includes nephews &nieces, Dewayne &Jason Engel, Carol Tebbe, Don Eisert, Debbie Williams &James Eisert, Heather Friziellie and families.
The date of Bob’s Celebration of Life is to be determined.
