Hans Engel
July 19, 1953 - December 23, 2025
Born to Christian and Liesel Engel, Hans was a lifelong resident of the Fair Oaks and Carmichael area. He spent his childhood exploring the open, undeveloped streets by bicycle and on his homemade dune buggy. Winters were spent snow skiing at Lake Tahoe and summers water skiing and boating on Folsom Lake. Many memorable trips were taken to Germany to visit family and friends where he was known as 'Hans from America'.
Hans was a graduate of Bella Vista High School and attended American River and Sierra Colleges. He followed in his father's footsteps as an independent contractor and then a builder, eventually founding his own company, Hans Engel Homes. He had a sharp eye for craftsmanship and design and loved visiting new developments and open houses, inspecting every detail and pointing out anything "not up to code." After years of building homes with meticulous care, he transitioned into a drafting role at larger architecture firms, helping design custom and tract homes throughout the Sacramento and Northern California region. One of his proudest accomplishments was designing and building his own custom home, where he and his wife raised their daughter and hosted many family gatherings.
Active throughout his life, Hans enjoyed mountain biking, skiing, golfing, water skiing, and later, yoga. But by far, his greatest passion was windsurfing. He spent countless weekends chasing the best wind in the Sacramento Delta and took multiple windsurfing trips to Hawaii, forming lasting memories that he later delighted in retelling to family and friends.
Hans also loved rock & roll. Mick Jagger was his favorite artist and personal icon, and he attended nearly every Rolling Stones tour. At home, he relaxed by playing his electric guitars and listening to his favorite rock & blues radio stations.
Deeply tied to the Sacramento area, Hans enjoyed taking local drives - sometimes a little too fast in his Porsche 911 - and later cruising around town in his pepper-white Mini Cooper. He appreciated routine, and found peace in his daily neighborhood walks.
Hans was immensely proud of his daughter and treasured their frequent phone calls. Meeting his granddaughter was a highlight of his later years, and he took on the title of "Opa" in his own way, saying, "She can call me Hans."
His German heritage at heart, Hans enjoyed spaetzle, sausage, and beer. He was strong and stubborn, and that became an asset as he faced the challenges of a devastating neurological disease over the last few years of his life.
He will be missed by family and friends.
Hans is survived by his wife, Cindy; his daughter Heather (Lance); his granddaughter; his sisters Gitta, Annette (Randy), Delphine (Mike), and Stephanie; and 7 nieces and nephews.
A small celebration in his honor will be held Saturday, March 7 at 2pm at the Fair Oaks Brew Pub. All are welcome.
July 19, 1953 - December 23, 2025
Born to Christian and Liesel Engel, Hans was a lifelong resident of the Fair Oaks and Carmichael area. He spent his childhood exploring the open, undeveloped streets by bicycle and on his homemade dune buggy. Winters were spent snow skiing at Lake Tahoe and summers water skiing and boating on Folsom Lake. Many memorable trips were taken to Germany to visit family and friends where he was known as 'Hans from America'.
Hans was a graduate of Bella Vista High School and attended American River and Sierra Colleges. He followed in his father's footsteps as an independent contractor and then a builder, eventually founding his own company, Hans Engel Homes. He had a sharp eye for craftsmanship and design and loved visiting new developments and open houses, inspecting every detail and pointing out anything "not up to code." After years of building homes with meticulous care, he transitioned into a drafting role at larger architecture firms, helping design custom and tract homes throughout the Sacramento and Northern California region. One of his proudest accomplishments was designing and building his own custom home, where he and his wife raised their daughter and hosted many family gatherings.
Active throughout his life, Hans enjoyed mountain biking, skiing, golfing, water skiing, and later, yoga. But by far, his greatest passion was windsurfing. He spent countless weekends chasing the best wind in the Sacramento Delta and took multiple windsurfing trips to Hawaii, forming lasting memories that he later delighted in retelling to family and friends.
Hans also loved rock & roll. Mick Jagger was his favorite artist and personal icon, and he attended nearly every Rolling Stones tour. At home, he relaxed by playing his electric guitars and listening to his favorite rock & blues radio stations.
Deeply tied to the Sacramento area, Hans enjoyed taking local drives - sometimes a little too fast in his Porsche 911 - and later cruising around town in his pepper-white Mini Cooper. He appreciated routine, and found peace in his daily neighborhood walks.
Hans was immensely proud of his daughter and treasured their frequent phone calls. Meeting his granddaughter was a highlight of his later years, and he took on the title of "Opa" in his own way, saying, "She can call me Hans."
His German heritage at heart, Hans enjoyed spaetzle, sausage, and beer. He was strong and stubborn, and that became an asset as he faced the challenges of a devastating neurological disease over the last few years of his life.
He will be missed by family and friends.
Hans is survived by his wife, Cindy; his daughter Heather (Lance); his granddaughter; his sisters Gitta, Annette (Randy), Delphine (Mike), and Stephanie; and 7 nieces and nephews.
A small celebration in his honor will be held Saturday, March 7 at 2pm at the Fair Oaks Brew Pub. All are welcome.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Hans Engel, please visit our flower store.
Hans Engel's Guestbook
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