Dr. Walter F. Engel Jr.

1925 - 2021

Dr. Walter F. Engel, Jr.

Poughkeepsie - Dr. Walter F. Engel, Jr., 95

Walter, a long-time resident of Poughkeepsie, NY, died peacefully at home with family. He and his wife moved to Poughkeepsie from New York City in 1952. He was born in 1925 in Brooklyn to Walter Sr. and Lillian (née Rauth), and is pre-deceased by them and his siblings, David Engel and Elizabeth Lips.

He was a long-time dentist in the area, jazz music enthusiast, a kind and thoughtful father, a humanitarian with a strong sense of justice and had a heart of service.

There are many places and institutions he held dear. PolyPrep in Brooklyn where he went to high school and Wesleyan University helped form his ideology and where he made some of his closest and lifelong friendships. His time at Wesleyan was cut short when World War II started and the dorms were used to billet soldiers, and Walter enrolled at what is now Columbia University College of Medicine as a twenty year old. Though brief, he still counts his years at Wesleyan among his best. Following dental school, he served several years in the Public Health Service as a First Lieutenant in Long Island and Queens. He spent many treasured summers at his family home on Lake Hopatcong in New Jersey, where in his youth, he would row to the middle of the lake so he could study quietly.

He met his wife Clitheroe (Clue) at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Brooklyn. After they moved to Poughkeepsie, they helped found the UU Fellowship of Poughkeepsie with their dear friend June Gillespie. He remained an active member until quarantine kept everyone home, and his tech savvy did not extend to attending online service. He considers the Fellowship to be one of the most important and dearest parts of his life.

He served the community as a dentist for over 50 years, he loved his career and knew he wanted to be a dentist (like his father and grandfather) since he was five years old. He served many generations of families in his Fox Street Office. He loved working with his dental hygienist, Debbie Bowers and medical assistant, Judy Buechele. Later in his career many patients and staff referred to him as 'Kindly Old Doc Engel.' He was also a volunteer dentist for over twenty years for the Poughkeepsie Children's Home. For his many years of service, he was the first recipient of the Dutchess Dental Society's "Hall of Fame" Walter Wallace Stevens Award for Meritorius and Distinuished Service in 2007. He retired from practice at age 85.

He loved jazz. As a young man leaving for Wesleyan, he prioritized his record collection and carried one suitcase for clothes and the other, a heavy record case packed with 78's. He was a fan of Barbara Carroll, jazz singer and pianist; he traveled to NYC whenever possible to hear her play at the Starlight Room and most recently, at age 91, to see her play one final time at the Birdland Jazz Club in NYC in one of her last performances. He was a supporter and regular attendee at the Bardavon in Poughkeepsie and Tanglewood, which held a special place in his heart because it is where he became engaged to Clue, with her mom as chaperone.

He was kind and humble and would balk at this memorial of him, but COVID, which has taken so much from us, has taken away our opportunity to come together and celebrate his life, so despite his modesty, we are happy to share these memories of him with his community. He lived a blessed and contented life and counted himself among the fortunate who were rarely ill, infrequently troubled by hardship and much loved. He was thoughtful and quiet in the gifts he gave, his loving support and unwavering acceptance, no matter what. His legacy is in his steady and gentle presence. He offered understanding, patience and compassion, and a genuine interest in others. His work in social justice was quiet and insistent, reflected his many unheralded actions. He was a gift in our lives.

He is survived by his sons Dean and Peter (Lisa and Selena), many nieces (Lynn, Diane [predeceased], Linda, Alexandra and their families) and nephews (Peter E., Stephen E., William L. [predeceased], Tom L., Peter L., James L., David L. and their families). He was predeceased by his wife of nearly 60 years, Clitheroe. His family is so grateful for the care provided by his caregivers, Gulnaz, Alejandra and Eva and for the services of Hudson Valley Hospice.

For those who are moved to do so, in lieu of flowers, the Kindly Old Doc would welcome donations to the Unitarian Universalists Fellowship of Poughkeepsie, Planned Parenthood of Poughkeepsie or Mental Health Associates of Dutchess County.

A memorial service may be planned when we are able to come together again at the UU in Poughkeepsie. Until then, his ashes will be placed with Clue's at Lake Hopatcong. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wm. G. Miller & Son FH, Inc. If you wish to send an online condolence please visit our website at www.mgmillerfuuneralhome.com