Official Obituary of
Keith H. Engels
February 12, 1949 ~ August 1, 2015 (age 66) 66 Years Old
Keith Engels Obituary
Major Keith Henry Engels, United States Army, Ret., beloved father, brother, husband and friend, traveled to his final duty station on August 1, 2015.
He was 66 years old and had homes in Anniston, AL, and Seven Lakes, NC.
Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel on Friday, August 14th from 5 to 8 pm.
A Graveside prayer service will be held at the Mount Hope Cemetery on Saturday, August 15th at 10:00 a.m.
Rev. Mark Tracy will officiate. Military honors will be conducted by the Vietnam Veterans of America-Chapter 1054.
Keith was born to the late Henry and Margaret (Reitzel) Engels on February 12, 1949, in Watertown, SD.
He grew up with his parents and six brothers on the family farm near Watertown.
He graduated from Watertown High School where he was an outstanding wrestler and member of the FFA in 1967.
He furthered his education by receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1971 from South Dakota State University (SDSU), Brookings, SD, as well as continuing his successful wrestling career from high school into college. Keith was Team Captain, Most Valuable Wrestler and an All American Wrestler while attending SDSU.
Being the over achiever that he was, Keith also started a beautiful family while at SDSU with his wife, Georgia, Joan (1968) and Daniel (1970).
Upon graduation from SDSU, Keith dedicated the next 20 years of his life and that of his family's to the United States Army.
Keith specialized his talents as a logistics officer in the Quartermaster Corps.
Keith continued his education while traveling throughout the United States and Korea earning a Masters Degree from USC in Systems Engineering in 1979 and a Masters of Military Art and Science Degree from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in 1985. Keith held the rank of major when he retired from the U.S. Army.
Being a role model to all who knew him, a professional, a mentor, a perfectionist and a dedicated hard-working man, Keith utilized his skills and intelligence at United Defense (now BAE) as the Vehicle Production Manager for 10 years in Pennsylvania. Later moving to North Carolina, he further contributed his amazing talent and expertise to General Dynamics Ordinance and Tactical Systems as the Vehicle Manufacturing Manager, a position that he thrived at for 11 years.
In his spare time he was a member of the American Legion and a member and volunteer for the KIWANIS of Seven Lakes, NC, where his joint mission was to "Improve the community one CHILD at a time".
Upon his "retirement" from General Dynamics he again furthered his education by earning his Professional Realtor and Broker Licenses.
After which time General Dynamics OTS requested his services and expertise on one last project that began in June 2014.
Keith was most fulfilled when able to contribute at home, at work and within his community.
He passed doing what he loved most - work, work, work and mentoring.
Keith is survived by his lovely wife, Janet; his daughter, Joan (Robert), and grandchildren (Christopher and Mercedes), his son, Daniel (Adriana), and grandchildren (Zachary, Daniela, Gabriela) and their mother, Georgia; his brothers: Everett (Margarete) of Pierre, SD, Chuck (Debbie) of Watertown, SD, and Marvin (Jan) Engels of Las Vegas, NV.
Keith was also blessed with and survived by three sons: Mark and grandchildren, Dylan (Heather) and Alexis, and Chris (Courtney) and grandchildren, Celine and Samantha and Todd (Sue) and grandchildren, Travis and Kyle; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
Keith was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Margaret Engels; his brothers: Dennis, Mike and Paul Engels; an infant sister, Karen Engels; and his second wife, Linda Engels.
The family requests that anyone wishing to celebrate Keith's life, please make donations to the Palliative Comfort Care Unit at the University of Alabama:
PCCU/Jackie Palimore
1713 6th Ave. South
3rd Floor
Birmingham, AL 34233
"In remembrance of Keith H. Engels"
When: August 14, 2015 5:00pm
Location: Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel
Address: 208 3rd St SW De Smet SD SD 57231
He was 66 years old and had homes in Anniston, AL, and Seven Lakes, NC.
Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel on Friday, August 14th from 5 to 8 pm.
A Graveside prayer service will be held at the Mount Hope Cemetery on Saturday, August 15th at 10:00 a.m.
Rev. Mark Tracy will officiate. Military honors will be conducted by the Vietnam Veterans of America-Chapter 1054.
Keith was born to the late Henry and Margaret (Reitzel) Engels on February 12, 1949, in Watertown, SD.
He grew up with his parents and six brothers on the family farm near Watertown.
He graduated from Watertown High School where he was an outstanding wrestler and member of the FFA in 1967.
He furthered his education by receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1971 from South Dakota State University (SDSU), Brookings, SD, as well as continuing his successful wrestling career from high school into college. Keith was Team Captain, Most Valuable Wrestler and an All American Wrestler while attending SDSU.
Being the over achiever that he was, Keith also started a beautiful family while at SDSU with his wife, Georgia, Joan (1968) and Daniel (1970).
Upon graduation from SDSU, Keith dedicated the next 20 years of his life and that of his family's to the United States Army.
Keith specialized his talents as a logistics officer in the Quartermaster Corps.
Keith continued his education while traveling throughout the United States and Korea earning a Masters Degree from USC in Systems Engineering in 1979 and a Masters of Military Art and Science Degree from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in 1985. Keith held the rank of major when he retired from the U.S. Army.
Being a role model to all who knew him, a professional, a mentor, a perfectionist and a dedicated hard-working man, Keith utilized his skills and intelligence at United Defense (now BAE) as the Vehicle Production Manager for 10 years in Pennsylvania. Later moving to North Carolina, he further contributed his amazing talent and expertise to General Dynamics Ordinance and Tactical Systems as the Vehicle Manufacturing Manager, a position that he thrived at for 11 years.
In his spare time he was a member of the American Legion and a member and volunteer for the KIWANIS of Seven Lakes, NC, where his joint mission was to "Improve the community one CHILD at a time".
Upon his "retirement" from General Dynamics he again furthered his education by earning his Professional Realtor and Broker Licenses.
After which time General Dynamics OTS requested his services and expertise on one last project that began in June 2014.
Keith was most fulfilled when able to contribute at home, at work and within his community.
He passed doing what he loved most - work, work, work and mentoring.
Keith is survived by his lovely wife, Janet; his daughter, Joan (Robert), and grandchildren (Christopher and Mercedes), his son, Daniel (Adriana), and grandchildren (Zachary, Daniela, Gabriela) and their mother, Georgia; his brothers: Everett (Margarete) of Pierre, SD, Chuck (Debbie) of Watertown, SD, and Marvin (Jan) Engels of Las Vegas, NV.
Keith was also blessed with and survived by three sons: Mark and grandchildren, Dylan (Heather) and Alexis, and Chris (Courtney) and grandchildren, Celine and Samantha and Todd (Sue) and grandchildren, Travis and Kyle; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
Keith was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Margaret Engels; his brothers: Dennis, Mike and Paul Engels; an infant sister, Karen Engels; and his second wife, Linda Engels.
The family requests that anyone wishing to celebrate Keith's life, please make donations to the Palliative Comfort Care Unit at the University of Alabama:
PCCU/Jackie Palimore
1713 6th Ave. South
3rd Floor
Birmingham, AL 34233
"In remembrance of Keith H. Engels"
Service Details.
Service
When: August 14, 2015 5:00pm
Location: Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel
Address: 208 3rd St SW De Smet SD SD 57231
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Keith Engels
February 12, 1949-August 1, 2015
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