Kevin R. Engle

1964 - 2011

Kevin R. Engle, 46, of Fairbanks, passed away at the Seattle Airport en route to Japan on Jan. 27, 2011.
Kevin was born in Bozeman, Mont., on Feb. 5, 1964, the son of Clair and Marilyn Engle. As a toddler, he spent 18 months in Argentina with his parents and younger brother, Mark. In his early years Kevin lived in West Lafayette, Ind., and then attended grade schools in Athens, Ga., and Jackson, Mo.
Kevin graduated from State College Area High School in State College, Pa., in 1982 and then earned his bachelor of science degree from the Pennsylvania State University at University Park, Pa., in 1986.
After graduation Kevin was employed at The Marine Science Consortium in Wallops Island, Va., and at Shaver Creek Conservation Center in Stone Valley, Pa. In 1989 he entered graduate school at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Kevin was a research programmer and ground station engineer at UAF Geographic Information Network of Alaska. He oversaw two satellite-receiving stations and managed satellite information from the Gilmore Creek NOAA/NESDIS Satellite Reception Facility. While he worked at the UAF's Geophysical Institute from 1992 to 2001, Kevin was one of the pioneers of using satellite data to assist in volcano monitoring. Kevin loved his life, his work, and the land and people of Alaska.
Kevin is survived by his parents, Clair and Marilyn Engle of Cody, Wyo.; three brothers, Mark (Cyndy) Engle of Millheim, Pa., Paul (Gayle) Engle of Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa., and Jeff (Vanessa) Engle of Lone Tree, Colo.; seven nieces and nephews, Elly, Nick, Ben, Zach, and Max Engle of Millheim, Pa., and Kyle and Emilee of Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa.; special aunts, uncles and cousins as well as his friends in Alaska, Pennsylvania and worldwide.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clark and Helen Engle of McLeod, Mont., and Roy and Florence Nickel of Minong, Wis.
A memorial service was held on Feb. 3 at the Geophysical Institute, UAF.
A celebration of Kevin's life will take place at Big Daddy's BBQ in Fairbanks from 2-5 p.m. today, Saturday, Feb. 19. A memorial service for family and friends will be held on July 9, at 11 a.m. at Faith United Church of Christ in State College, Pa.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a student support fund in Kevin's name that will be established at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Contributions may be made online at www.uaf.edu/giving/gift; please note "In Memory of Kevin Engle." Checks can also be mailed to: UA Foundation, P.O. Box 757530, Fairbanks, AK 99775. Please make checks payable to: "UA Foundation" and include "In Memory of Kevin Engle" in the memo. If you have additional questions, please contact the UAF Development Office at (907) 474-2619.