Remembering Charles (Chili) Edward Engel, Sr.  
   
As I interviewed for my job as Scout Executive in 1989 I remember wondering what had become of the "Texas accent" I had grown accustomed to during 6 years in the Dallas area.   Corpus Christi folks sound more Midwestern than folks in the rest of Texas…  Well, then I met Chili… and there was no doubt that I was still is Texas.  Chili spent years trying to teach me to talk correctly and that may have been his only failing.  But, we sure had fun. 

Much of the understanding and high regard I have for this council, this area and Camp Karankawa came from many conversations with Chili.   When I met Chili, he was actively serving as Scoutmaster of Troop 93 and as our Council's Order of the Arrow Advisor.  Troop 93 is a legendary troop, producing many fine men… all devoted to scouting ideals and to having wholesome fun in life.   
   
Our Order of the Arrow Chapter is also legendary and I enjoyed meeting with other council Scout Executives knowing our lodge's reputation created by Chili's leadership.   Our lodge was known for having the nations best Indian dancers, singers and drummers.  But, it was also known for its service to Camp Karankawa.  Cheerful service is a hallmark of the OA and Chili made if more than cheerful.  He made it fun.  
   
Some of you may not know that Chili was also a gang leader.   He was one of the ringleaders of the notorious "Alice Gang."  A bunch of Scouters who, over the years, have adopted several structures at Camp Karankawa and not only refurbished them but raised the money to do it as well.  The camp office was totally refurbished, as was the health lodge.  I remember Chili working, sweating and smiling at the commissioner's cabin too, but perhaps the crowing glory to those projects is the beautiful Mesquite Lodge built from the ground up… by the legendary Alice Gang.  I am sure that for many of us that lodge will henceforth be known as Chili's place.     
   
Many of us will never forget when, about 15 years ago, Chili announced that he was going to be a father.   We have all admired the devotion, love and skill with which Chili and Bernadette have raised a fine young man who proudly caries his fathers name and shares his passion for Scouting.  
   
I didn't know Chili as a young man, but I know our camp director emeritus, J. Vern Herring… and he has shared many fond and sometimes stressful memories of Chili as a devoted, but playful staff member.   Legends of the good old days at Camp Karankawa abound and Chili is a part of many a serious accomplishment as well as most funny stories.  
   
Every one of us leaves a legacy.   As a builder, Chili leaves many tangible structures we can look at and remember him by.  As a committed volunteer in his church and in Scouting he leaves a legacy of good deeds and young men who will recall being a part of something important. Chili has been a tremendous volunteer committing many thousands of hours to instilling values in young men through his Scouting ministry.  As a member of the Order of the Arrow he was a role model to the concept of a brotherhood of cheerful service.  Chili will be missed and remembered as one who walked the talk.  
   
I know there are many of us Scouters present… and whether we are one of Chili's scouts, a fellow leader, an Arrowman, one of the hundreds trained by Chili through Woodbadge… or one who has a sweat stained belt from many a service project, we will miss our good friend and companion.   We will miss the fun and the mischievous smile.  But, when you wish for those things, remember this man's spirit lives on in us all and the best way to rekindle that fellowship will be to serve others with a smile and to give to others what you received from Chili.  A walk around Camp Karankawa will never be the same.  But… it will just get better because of the legacy we celebrate today.     
   
I'll close with a short article written by Forest E. Whitcraft and first published in the October 1950 issue of Scouting Magazine.   Chili was about 8 when this was written and I doubt he read it then.  But, I am sure he read it many times for it was written for men like Chili… and Chili obviously took it to heart.

"I am not a very important man, as importance is commonly rated. I do not have great wealth, control a big business, or occupy a position of great honor or authority. Yet I may someday mould destiny. For it is within my power to become the most important man in the world… in the life of a boy.   And every boy is a potential atom bomb in human history.  A humble citizen like myself might have been the Scoutmaster of a Troop in which an undersized unhappy Austrian lad by the name of Adolph might have found a joyous boyhood, full of the ideals of brotherhood, goodwill, and kindness.   And the world would have been different. A humble citizen like myself might have been the organizer of a Scout Troop in which a Russian boy called Joe might have learned the lessons of democratic cooperation.   And the world would have been different. These men would never have known that they had averted world tragedy, yet actually they would have been among the most important men who ever lived.
All about me are boys. They are the makers of history, the builders of tomorrow. If I can have some part in guiding them up the trails of Scouting, on to the high road of noble character and constructive citizenship, I may prove to be the most important man in their lives, the most important man in my community. A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove. But the world may be different, because I was important in the life of a boy."  

Chili has been important in the life of many boys and the world is better because of his time in it.  

We all extend our condolences to the family of Chili Engel…   and at the same time, we rejoice with you… knowing that if there is sorrow today…  it can only be for ourselves.   For, through our faith, we know that Chili is very much alive… and has outrun us to our Father's house.

Scouting Eulogy given by John Thurston at Chili's funeral at the  First Baptist Church on Friday, April 15, 2005.

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Caller Times Obituary
Charles (Chili) Edward Engel, Sr. went to be with our Lord April 9, 2005. Chili was born January 5, 1943 to the late Milton E. and Rosemond Engel in Alice, Texas. He was a resident of San Antonio, Texas for the past three years. He was a resident of Alice, Texas for 59 years where he owned Engel Construction Co., Inc. for 25 years. Chili was a graduate of Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas where he earned a Master's Degree in Business. He was in the United States Army and served a tour in Vietnam. Chili was an ordained deacon of the First Baptist Church in Alice, Texas where he was also licensed to the Ministry of God and performed all duties of a Minister.

Chili was an Eagle Scout and remained actively involved with the Boy Scouts of America throughout his life. Highlighting his numerous positions and accomplishments were: Scout Master of Troop 93 in Alice, Texas, South Texas Council Order of the Arrow Advisor, Wood badge recipient, Wood badge Scoutmaster for one course and on staff for many Wood badge courses, chairman of the international Camporee hosted in Texas, Council Commissioner, and was a Council Board Member. He also received many awards and commendations through his life as a scout including the God and Country, Silver Beaver, International Scout Award for contributions to world scouting, and the James West award presented to him by the Order of the Arrow of the South Texas Council.

Chili had many interests including woodworking, pen and knife making, hunting, fishing, and backpacking. He backpacked over every inch of Big Bend. He was a recreational pilot and flew when he could find time.

Chili was preceded in death by his parents, Milton and Rosemond Engel, a son, Milton Ernest Engel and many aunts and uncles.  Chili is survived by his wife, Bernadette, his son, Charles, Jr., brothers, Milton (Gloria) Engel, Marvin and the late Kaye Engel, sisters, Beth Engel and Rosemary Witten, nephew, Marvin Lynn Engel, nieces, Mary Beth and Melissa Witten, Audrey Megill, Carolyn Judge, Amanda and Abbey Browne, three great nephews and a great niece.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Boy Scouts of America South Texas Council-Camp Karankawa or The Order of The Arrow.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 14, 2005 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Holmgreen Mortuary in Alice.

Services will be held in Alice, Texas at the First Baptist Church on Friday, April 15, 2005 at 2:00pm.
Interment will follow at Roselawn Cemetery.

Holmgreen Mortuary
2061 E. Main
Alice, Texas, 78333
(361) 664-6571