Albert Engel

The Honorable Albert J. Engel, Jr., 89, passed away on April 5, 2013 from complications of lung cancer. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Eloise (Grand Rapids); his sister, Louise Bone (Indianapolis, Indiana); and four children, Albert J Engel, III and wife Doreen (Grand Rapids), Kate Engel (Parker, Colorado), James Engel and wife Kwan (Bangkok, Thailand) and Mary Pineda and husband Andrew (Fort Collins, Colorado). He was graced with five grandsons, Ethan Engel, Colin Engel, Griffin Engel, Patrick Pineda and James Pineda; and one granddaughter, Lika Engel. Albert was preceded in death by his older sister, Margaret Cavanagh; and her husband, Robert. He is also survived by numerous offshoots of the delightful Bielby and Bull branches of the family. Albert was born in 1924 to Albert and Bertha Engel, in Lake City, Michigan. After his father was elected to the U.S. Congress in 1934, he spent the summers of the Great Depression in his home town on the shores of Lake Missaukee and the rest of the year in Washington D.C. His love of the outdoors was a by-product of northern Michigan, and his love of music, politics, law, and history a by-product of a world view nurtured by family and opportunity. Albert enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1944, rising to the rank of Captain by the age of 21. He spent late 1944 and 1945 in the European Theatre of World War II, leading a bomb disposal squadron tasked with disarming unexploded Allied and German ordinance in France, Denmark, and Germany. He returned to the United States to finish his undergraduate and law degrees at the University of Michigan, graduating in 1950. After an unsuccessful try for the 9th U.S. congressional seat in west Michigan, Albert opened a law practice with Ray Engle in Muskegon and in 1952 met and married Eloise Ruth Bull. Within the first six years of marriage, they had four children, Joe, Kate, Jim, and Mary. His ties to Lake City remained, as he helped his father (then retired) build Engelwood Plantations, one of the first and largest commercial Christmas tree operations in northern Michigan. At the same time, Albert developed a successful practice of law as a partner in Engle & Engel, became an active member of numerous business and civic organizations in the Muskegon area, and in 1966 won election to an open Circuit Court Judge post in Muskegon County. In 1970, President Nixon nominated him for Federal District Judge for the Western District of Michigan, and he was unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate in December of that year. Three years later, he was nominated to the United States Court of Appeals, and was again unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate. In 1987, Albert became Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and held that position until he turned 65. He then went on senior status, but continued to manage his own caseload until his formal retirement in 2002, at age 78. Albert's non-working hours were driven by an insatiable curiosity and love, if not awe, of human and Mother nature. His wife and children were blessed as Albert's inquisitive streak took them on spontaneous weekend "snooping trips", through the halls of Congress, snorkeling and diving along Cayman reefs, camping in the Rocky Mountains, cheering on Wolverine football, crabbing in Beaufort, canoeing on the Pere Marquette at the Fin & Feather, and into lively, family debates about anything and everything. Along the way he found time to share his love of storytelling, writing, fishing, cards, painting, and spontaneous family sing fests often guided by his gifted piano playing. His ready sense of humor found life and purpose in every aspect of his life, whether as a foil at a raucous Friday night family dinner or as a bridge for problem solving in the context of a difficult piece of litigation. Albert possessed an unbending, personal integrity he wove in to all aspects of his life. He expected the same from others, but also had an innate sense of fairness, compassion, and empathy for those who stood before him - whether it was a hardened criminal, an orphaned ward of the state, or one of his own children. He was an unfailing advocate for Christian values and the Golden Rule, yet frankly struggled with the intellectual challenge of reconciling faith with history and life experiences. At the time of his death, Albert was still an avid reader of historical biographies, and to the end his curiosity remained an unfaltering trait. He will be missed by all, but by none more than his bride, Eloise (still a young 84) who walked at his side with love, compassion, and equal gravitas since exchanging vows on October 18, 1952. A service celebrating Albert's life will be held at St. Roberts Church in Ada, Michigan, at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, April 11, 2013. There will be no public visitation or viewing. All are welcome and invited to a luncheon in St. Robert's Newminster Hall immediately following the service. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Land Conservancy of West Michigan or to the Friends of the Library for the Ardis Missaukee District Library of Lake City, Michigan. A very special thanks to the kind and compassionate caregivers at Porter Hills Green House - whose remarkable care helped make this passage one of peace and comfort. The family is being served by: