Edwin William Engerer

Edwin William Engerer

Edwin “Ed” William Engerer died Monday, December 7, 2020, at the age of 96. He was born February 26, 1924, to Edwin and Henrietta (Hemmeter) Engerer.  He is preceded in death by his oldest son, Mark Engerer. He is survived by his dear wife Carol, their children Steven (Barbara) Engerer of Valparaiso, IN, and Jon (Julie) Engerer of St. Louis, MO, their daughter-in-law Joyce Engerer of Mechanicsburg, PA; as well as eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Donald Engerer.

Ed received his B.A. at Valparaiso University, and his B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering and his M.S. in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University. His education was interrupted by service in the Army Air Force where he served as a navigator in WWII. He later also served in the Korean War. Ed married his college sweetheart, Carol Jean Bremer, on June 26, 1948, and they raised three boys, living in Indiana, Illinois, Georgia, Missouri, and Pennsylvania. Ed began his career working for A.E. Staley in Decatur, Illinois. He worked for McDonnell Aircraft and Von Hoffmann Press in St. Louis. In 1969 they moved to Harrisburg where Ed worked as president of Telegraph Press and then as CEO of Commonwealth Communications.

After his retirement in 1986, Ed used his business expertise volunteering many hours with SCORE. He served on the Board of Directors of the Harrisburg Hospital, the Harrisburg Symphony, the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation, and the Central Penn College, serving as president of the board for the last three. Ed is a member of the Ben Franklin Society, an honorary organization for the printing industry.

Ed was an active member of Zion and St. Paul Lutheran Churches in St. Louis and of Calvary and Messiah Lutheran Churches in Harrisburg. He served in numerous church offices (including multiple terms as president), as a Bible study leader, and led stewardship drives.

Ed loved his family. When his children were small, vacations were to the Bremer family farm in Ocheyedan, IA or to Pittsburgh, PA to visit the Engerer grandparents. Later he and Carol traveled to France, Spain, Russia, Italy, and many other lovely places. For many years in retirement, Ed and Carol spent winters on Hilton Head Island. He loved to play golf and was a long time member of the Country Club of Harrisburg. Over his lifetime, Ed scored not just one, but six holes-in-one. One of his best golf memories is getting an ovation for his par putt on the 18th hole at St. Andrew’s golf course in Scotland. Ed cheered on Purdue, Valpo, and Penn State athletics, plus the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles. He enjoyed reading, playing bridge, doing sudokus and never passed up a piece of cherry pie or a glass of chardonnay. Most of all, Ed loved and cared for Carol, his bride of over seventy two years, and the amazing life they created and enjoyed together.

Due to the pandemic, Ed’s burial will be private and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date when friends and family can gather safely.  In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the organ fund of Messiah Lutheran Church.  Memorials may be sent to Messiah Lutheran Church, Valparaiso University, or Central Penn College.

Ed’s family has entrusted his care to Buhrig Funeral Home & Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Ed’s full obituary, view his memorial portrait, offer condolences and sympathy, share stories and memories, upload photographs and videos, light a candle and sign his official guest book by visiting Buhrig.com.