Klaus HC Engel

Klaus Hans Christian Engel passed away on a clear sunny Seattle day on February 9, 2011 after a long struggle with Alzheimers. He had been living at Sunrise Mercer Island. His intellect and analytical powers were well known by his fellow Boeing engineers, family, and friends. Not only would he complete the New York Crossword Puzzle in ink; but in order and within an hour. He will also

be remembered for his love of hiking, skiing and the water. For 50 years he tended the wooded hillside of his and Edith’s home. Born in Liebin, Germany on June 28, 1921, his life spanned a history of great change. Hitler came to power during his middle schools years, with the family fleeing to his mother’s homeland of Switzerland. A doctor’s prognosis of Tuberculosis allowed them to move back to home. Their time in Davos, Switzerland was short lived when German nationals were drafted from Switzerland into the Germany Army. His parents had the understanding and courage to leave Europe behind for a new life in Sydney, New York. Klaus and his siblings mastered English and adapted to their new country. Klaus’s intellect became apparent and he was accepted to MIT for the fall of 1940. He was at MIT until his induction into the US Army in July of 1943. Entering the army as a legal alien, he was promptly given his citizenship and a typewriter. His analytic mind and perfect fluency in German put him in a group of interrogators as German soldiers were streaming west into allied hands. Returning from the war, Klaus finished his undergraduate degree and Masters at Harvard. After a time working at Scintilla, he headed west to work at Boeing. His work covered many projects. He had a role in Germany’s first post-war satellite, the Bomarc missile system, and AWACS. His time at Boeing spanned the earlier boom years of the 50’s, through the 70’s collapse. Edith Engel survives Klaus after a 53-year marriage. They met in Seattle, were married in their friend’s home and moved to a wooded property that became their home. After retiring from Boeing, Klaus traveled the western US with Edith, including the Ashland Festival, and following Edith on many fishing trips. He was rooted in his wooded property and beach keeping the black berries at bay and enjoying the sunset on his beloved beach. Klaus is also survived by his brother Heinz in Denver, sisters Karin and Heida of New York and Natchez, his son Andrew, daughter-in-law Tamara, and his grandson Hans. A memorial service will be held at his and Edith’s home on

Mercer Island, March 6, at 1:00 PM.

465428