Walter Engle

Walter Engle has been described as “twinkle-eyed” and a “giant hug of a man”. "When he entered a room, the whole energy changed with positivity.” He was caring and generous, and adored by all who met him. After a brief bout with cancer, he transitioned peacefully on the morning of May 31st, and we shall miss him every day from then on.

Walter grew up in Bensalem, PA, as the youngest of 6 children. His mother tragically passed away when he was 9 years old. In his last days, Walter assured us that he had a great life, and he was looking forward to seeing his mom again. Despite the early loss of his mother, he had a rich childhood in “The Manor”, with many afternoons spent on the Delaware River. Some of Walter’s favorite stories include his railroad-engineer father stopping the train outside the house to say hello and the train trips he accompanied his father on.

He attended Millersville University (and recently helped organize their 60th class reunion), Temple University, and Bank Street College of Education. Walter found his purpose in life working with children as a “compassionate and dedicated" elementary school educator. After leading Abington Friends Lower School in the Philadelphia area, he and his young family moved to Pittsburgh as an elementary school principal in the Shaler School District, there, he embraced the philosophy of Fred Rogers. Finally retiring in 2002 after 25 years, he and Katherine moved south to Wilmington, NC, where he was drawn back to education with the New Hanover County School District for another 5 years. Other highlights of his career were founding the Mexican International Visitation Program and serving as a two-time Fulbright Scholar. Volunteer activities reflected this same caring for children.

His career was only outshone by the life he built with his wife Katherine. After meeting at the wedding of mutual close friends, they married and recently celebrated 59 years. They had one child, Bryan, who to this day remains the favorite child they ever had. Favorite trips included a 1999 sabbatical in Europe. Each year, these trips and meaningful moments were celebrated in a scrapbook page created for Kathy as a Christmas present. In later years, they were the extremely proud grandparents of Jackson and Maddie, who were respectively (and unsurprisingly, if you’ve been paying attention), the best grandson and granddaughter they ever had. He was thrilled to have attended both of their college graduations, including the most recent in April.

And if you thought this was going to leave out his love of all things Christmas, don’t worry. If you know Walter, you know he was a Christmas nut. Invariably, his favorite holiday and a highlight of his year. As a young newlywed couple, he and Katherine made their own Christmas ornaments (a few of which grace their tree every year). And things escalated from there. He had a special interest in glass ornaments, and amassed a large collection of both vintage and modern. If you ever saw his Christmas tree and many additional displays, you were inevitably wowed. The decoration was something to behold. As part of his hobby (obsession?), he loved the years that he was able to join the other Christmas nuts at the Golden Glow convention.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife Katherine, son Bryan and wife Michelle, and his pride and joy - grandchildren Jackson and Maddie Engle.

A memorial service will be held at River Landing at Sandy Ridge in Colfax, NC on July 18, 2026 at 2:30PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, NC, or Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue.