Richard “Dick” Dennis Engel, Sr. 81, of Carrington, ND, passed away April 12, 2015, at Sanford Health, Bismarck, ND.

Dick was born July 16, 1933, in Aberdeen, SD. He was the son of Albert and Rose (Mayer) Engel. Richard was raised in Selah, WA, where he enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 15.

On March 22, 1974, Dick was united in marriage to Carol Laine Smith in rural Pick City, ND, raising their children in the Hazen area. Dick and Carol Laine moved to Carrington in the early 90’s. He would later consider Carrington his home; where he had served on the Carrington City Council for three terms. 

Throughout his life Dick worked at various jobs, that included driving semi-trucks, carpenter work, and also in the logging industry. He spent the majority of his later years working at MDU as a plant operator which he retired from.

During his 16 years of service in the United States Air Force, Dick acquired his GED and he served during the Korean War. Dick received the Soldiers Medal for heroism, for aiding and saving the lives of 11 survivors in a plane crash at Puget Sound, WA. Not only did Dick serve in the U.S. Air Force he also served 8 years in the North Dakota Army National Guard.  He retired after 24 faithful years of service to his country, which he was very proud of. Dick instilled this proud tradition to his family with his years of service, four of his children followed in his footsteps. He was proud to say that two of his daughters later retired out of the North Dakota Army National Guard and the Washington Army Reserve; they both served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Dick could be found spending much of his spare time as a Ham Radio operator, working on his computer, or building model cars, planes and boats.  He was known for his story telling at family gatherings. Dick enjoyed traveling with Carol Laine to visit their children and grandchildren throughout the states. He was a storm chaser when the opportunity presented itself and he was a communications expert for the Salvation Army during the Grand Forks flood of 1997.

Dick is survived by his loving wife Carol Laine, Carrington; his children Rene Crough, Deer Lodge, MT, Richard ”Rick” (Carla) Engel, Jr., Thompson Falls, MT, Heather (Jeff) Felsburg, Deer Lodge, MT., Laurissa (Scott) Woerdeman, Spokane, WA, Mike Hayes, Hazen, ND, Paul (Terri) Hayes, Hazen, ND, Eric Hayes, (Angela) Fargo, ND, Corean Swart, Carrington, ND; 21 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.

FUNERAL SERVICE:

Trinity Lutheran Church, Carrington, ND

DATE AND TIME:

Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 1:00PM

BURIAL:

ND Veteran's Cemetery, Mandan, ND at a later date