Henry "Al" Engler

Henry “Al” Engler passed away peacefully at home in Chapel Hill, NC on January 30, 2026, surrounded by family. He will be remembered for his quick mind, big ideas, wry sense of humor, love of clawhammer banjo, and deep devotion to his wife of 64 years, Carol. His impact reached far and wide — from Helsinki to Manhattan, Wisconsin to Pilot Mountain — and he leaves behind many friends and loved ones who will miss him deeply.

Al was born on Long Island, NY to Emily Van Buskirk Engler and Henry Engler and grew up in Bellerose, Queens alongside his older sisters, Helen and Barbara. He attended P.S. 133, was active at Holy Trinity Church, and became an Eagle Scout in the Order of the Arrow. At the McBurney School in Manhattan, he distinguished himself as a basketball player, senior class president, and recipient of the Robert Ross McBurney Award, the school’s highest honor.

He went on to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he was part of the prestigious Integrated Liberal Studies Program, joined Chi Psi fraternity, and earned a BA in International Relations. In 1970, Al helped found the Wisconsin Eastern Alumni Scholarship Fund, which provided full four-year scholarships to promising minority students from New York City — an accomplishment he remained deeply proud of throughout his life.

Al met the love of his life, Carol Hanson, at UW. They married soon after graduation in Helsinki, Finland in 1961, where Al had begun his career in the printing industry. The couple later moved to New York, where he continued working in printing, holding leadership roles at Robert Hart Printing (Manhattan), Craftsman Printing (Charlotte), Hennegan Printing (Cincinnati), and eventually serving as president of Crafton Graphics in Manhattan. It was especially meaningful to Al to end his printing career with a Finnish-owned company, bringing things full circle from where he had started. Along the way, he worked with notable artists including Peter Max, John Groth, and Pentagram designer Colin Forbes.

Al and Carol started their family in New York, raising their children Hal and Suzanne before moving to a farm in Stokes County, NC. There, Al began a second career in real estate, eventually founding Carolina Farms Real Estate in Pilot Mountain. He loved helping people find rural homes and land and built a thriving business doing so.

Music was another lifelong passion. Al was deeply involved in old-time music and was an accomplished clawhammer banjo player. He and Carol hosted many lively gatherings over the years, including a memorable birthday celebration for renowned old-time fiddler Joe Thompson.

In his later years, Al settled in Chapel Hill to be closer to his children and grandchildren — something that brought him great joy.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; his son Hal Engler; his daughter Suzanne Case; son-in-law Matt Case; and grandchildren Knox, Henry, Savanna, Sophie, and Nathan.

A memorial service is being planned for this summer; details will be shared when available.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wisconsin Eastern Alumni Scholarship Fund: https://secure.supportuw.org/give/search/