Samuel Wilson Engelman, 97, of Mesa, AZ, went home to be with our Lord on Christmas Day 2020 after falling ill with Covid-19 at Alta Mesa Health & Rehab. He was born on August 17, 1923 in Milford Township, PA, the son of the late Wilson Peter and Elva Ida (Moose) Engelman.
Sam was a Navy veteran of World War II where, after the Japanese surrendered, he served with GROPAC 13 in mainland China.
He was the husband of the late Ruth S. (Shelly) who passed away in November 2004. They were married 56 years and raised their 3 children in Congo, PA, where they were members of Shepherd of the Hills UCC. Sam was active in the church's consistory and chaired their building committee.
He worked at the Firestone Tire and Rubber plant in Pottstown, PA for 37 years eventually retiring in 1984 from Occidental Petroleum, who had bought the Firestone plant's chemical division.
Sam loved to travel around the country--first in his 1958 Plymouth Station Wagon and later in his Airstream. In fact he was a member of AAA for 73 years and a lifetime member of the Good Sam (camping/traveling) Club. Sam was known by everyone as an Airstreamer, owning multiple Airstream trailers starting in the 1960s and attending annual Wally Byam rallies. He is a past member of the Laurel State Travel Trailer Club and a charter member of the Keystone Unit of the Wally Byam Caravan Club International (WBCCI #10076).
His other favorite activities included square dancing, hiking, collecting John Deere tractor items, and eating ice cream (preferably coffee flavored).
After Sam retired, he and Ruth spent 5 years traveling and living full time in their Airstream travel trailer before relocating in 1990 to Dreamland Retirement Villa in Mesa, AZ. Even after making Mesa their winter home, Sam spent his summers ‘on the road’ visiting his children, grandchildren and attending Airstream rallies.
After moving to Mesa, Sam was a member of the Apache Wells Community Church.
Sam is survived by his son Jere & wife Claire of Mechanicsburg, PA; his daughter Judy & husband Patrick Maher of Irvine, CA; and his son Jeff & wife Dianne of Mead, CO. Six grandchildren: Jen, Jackie, Rebecca, Kevin, Julie and Joe; and 9 great grandchildren. Sam was predeceased by his older brother Harry and his sister Florence (Schlicher) and is survived by a brother Robert of Palmyra, PA.
Due to Covid-19 there will be no public memorial service; but we all know that Sam loved his daily walk, so friends and family may want to take a walk outside to remember him and say good-bye.
Interment will be at the Union Cemetery, Quakertown, PA at the convenience of the family.
You can share memories and offer sympathy to the family at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/.
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