Paul M. Engle, Jr. passed away peacefully, surrounded by loving family, on October 4, 2023 at his home, the Virginia
Mennonite Retirement Community, in Harrisonburg, VA. He was 101 years old.
Paul was born on January 20, 1922, the son of Paul M. Engle, Sr. and Myrtle (Griscel) Engle, in Beavercreek Township, just
east of Dayton, Ohio. He attended grade and high school at Beavercreek, winning the top prizes on state-wide exams in both
math and science. After graduating from the University of Dayton with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 1943,
Paul attended the U.S. Naval Academy and was commissioned an Ensign. Paul and his hometown sweetheart, Emma May
Stevens, were married in the Navy Chapel in Annapolis, MD on August 31, 1943. Before commencing his service as a navigator
on the escort carrier U.S.S. Prince William, Paul was sent for special training in electronics and radar at Harvard University and
M.I.T. He then served in theAtlantic and Pacific theaters during World War II, and achieved the rank of Lt. Commander.
As a civilian, Paul began working for the Monsanto Corporation in January of 1946. Apart of his job there entailed the
production of polonium, a catalyst used by the Manhattan Project. At the same time, he completed a Master’s Degree at Ohio
State, also in chemical engineering. In 1954, Paul, his wife, Emmie, and their (then) three children moved from Dayton to
Central NewYork, where he accepted a position as Executive Vice President and Partner of the Cambridge Filter Corporation.
In 1966, Paul left Cambridge Filter for a managerial post at the Carrier Corporation. Over the ensuing sixteen years, he
supervised the operation of air-conditioning manufacturing plants in Kentucky, Tennessee, Malaysia, and Indonesia. He retired
in 1982 but continued to work as a volunteer in Egypt, SaudiaArabia, and China.
Throughout his adult life, Paul gave generously of his time and talent to youth, civic, and non-profit organizations. He coached
kids’baseball and basketball teams, and worked tirelessly for his church, the Solvay schools, Habitat for Humanity, Rotary, and
a low -income housing complex in Manlius, N.Y. He and Emmie hosted an exchange student fromArgentina as well. He also
helped to rebuild homes in coastal Mississippi in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Paul’s unwavering support for civil rights
meant that a teen-aged son could demonstrate in Selma, Alabama, and that Paul would join his daughter in Martin Luther King’s
March on Washington. Paul’s principled and courageous stand on racial equality continues to inspire his children and
grandchildren.
In his spare time, Paul enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, camping, gardening, and woodworking. He was also an expert bridge
player. One of Paul and Emmie’s greatest joys over many years was the holding of annual Engle family reunions.
Paul leaves his daughter Joan Graham (Ron), and son William (Nancy) of Harrisonburg, VA; son David (Carolyn) of Shelburne,
MA; son John (Julie) of Powhatan, VA; and son Thomas (Sharon Hodgkins) of Swoope, VAas well as nine grandchildren, nine
great grandchildren, four nieces, and one nephew. Besides his parents and his wife, Paul was predeceased by his two sisters,
MiriamAllen (Gerald), and Delores Coffey (Irv), one niece, Judith Buettner (Jim), one grandchild Josh Graham, and one
nephew, Michael Coffey.
On behalf of their late father, Paul’s children and their spouses wish to express their sincere gratitude for the compassionate,
professional care he received from the staff at Harmon House/VMRC.
Acelebration of Paul’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on November 4, 2023 in Village Hall, Park Village at Virginia Mennonite
Retirement Community, 1501 VirginiaAve., Harrisonburg, VA. His remains will be interred, at a later date, in theArlington
National Cemetery next to those of his beloved wife of fifty-seven years, Emmie.
Lindsey Funeral Home in Harrisonburg is handling arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by
visiting www.lindseyfuneralhomes.com.