Alan Robert Engel

Alan Robert Engel was born to Charles and Helen Engel on October 15, 1935, passing away peacefully at age 84 on March 10, 2020 while surrounded by his loving family. Alan was a U.S. Army Veteran, Private First Class stationed at Ft. Chaffee, Ft. Smith, Arkansas. It was there at a USO dance that he met and danced with Carol Sue Stroud who became his loving wife Friday, April 13, 1956. Alan and Carol moved to Chicago and then to Harvey, Illinois where together they raised their three children, Bruce, David (Tina) and Lisa (Mark) Kapicak. Alan became a loving Grandfather to Todd (Kimberly), Nickolas (Hillary), Rachel, Matthew, Alec, Lauren and Jake, and loving Great-Grandfather to Marleigh, Magnolia, Clark and Orin and beloved Father-in-Law to June Fidanza. Alan's family in Arkansas meant the world to him. He drove Carol and the kids back to Ft. Smith every year. This trip was their annual family vacation where his in-laws, nieces and nephews flocked to visit with him because they only got to see him once a year. He was a loving Brother-in-Law to Joan Douglas and the late Doris Mikel Fullbright and beloved Uncle to Richard (Laurice), Kelsey (Brenda), Karla (Barry), Gordon, Steven, Florice (Ted) and Great-Uncle to many in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Alan connected with his beloved Sister, June (Leroy) Weiss and became a beloved Uncle to her children. While raising his family, Alan joined the Thornton Township Police Department where he rose to the rank of Sargent. From there he became a Reserve Officer for the Homewood Police Department for over 30 years where he met many of his beloved friends. He was also a member and Director of the Associated Detectives of Illinois, a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and Shomrim Society of Illinois. Alan ended his career as Senior Investigator for the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation where he retired in April 2006. Last, Alan was not superstitious. In fact, he married Carol on Friday the 13th; he had a tattoo on his forearm that was a black cat sitting on a black number 13, his badge number was 113 and as fate would have it....we will be celebrating his life on Friday the 13th. Memorial service and Celebration of Life to be held on Friday, March 13, 2020, 3:00 – 8:00 pm at Tews-Ryan Funeral Home, 18230 S, Dixie Hwy, Homewood, IL 60430 Interment to be held Monday, March 16, 2020 at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, 20953 W. Hoff Rd., Elwood, IL  The family encourages all to attend at 11:15 at the Cemetery and Military honors will be held at 11:30 promptly. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Larabida Children's Hospital, (https://larabida.org/donate/) would be appreciated. For additional information contact 708-798-5300 or tews-ryanfh.com.