Dr. Joseph Irvin Engler

Jodie entered this world with a twinkle in his eyes on January 17, 1924 in Fort Worth, Texas and was the adored youngest child of Adolph and Annie Engler. Jodie honed his people skills working at his family’s store, Engler’s Western Wear, selling the best pair of jeans in the great state of Texas. He was preceded in death by his beloved five siblings: Louis Engler, Minnie Engler Waldman, Eva Engler Hurwitz, Esther Engler Wolf, and Sylvia Engler Robins.

He proudly served in the Navy, participating in the study of the yellow fever vaccine. He subsequently attended medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas. He did his internship at the University of Indiana, completed his residency in pediatrics at UTMB, and completed two post-doctoral fellowships in allergy and immunology, first at the National Institutes of Health and then at Harvard Medical School's Massachusetts General Hospital. While in Washington, D.C., he met the mother of his children and married Roberta "Ricky" Cherner, who preceded him in death.

The two returned to Texas to raise their family and had the goal of curing people's allergies. He set up a one-man shop at The Allergy Clinic in 1956, in which he cared for patients of all ages for 53 years. The connections he made with his patients and staff have left a lasting impression. His younger son, Dr. David Engler joined his practice in 1991, and they spent 18 years together caring for patients.

His favorite way to spend free time was gathering with friends and family, dressed to the nines, enjoying a delicious steak with a vodka martini in hand. He loved spending weekends on the lake with his adored partner later in life, Hana Pomerantz, who preceded him in death.

He will be sorely missed by his four children Dr. Andrew Engler and his wife Susan, Debra Engler and her husband Alan, Dr. David Engler and his wife Myrna, and Judith Sax and her husband Larry. He also leaves behind his six grandchildren, Dr. Jonah Lopatin and his wife Ashley, Asa Lopatin and his wife Maggie, Dr. Amy Engler, Kelly Engler, Rebecca Sax, and Nicole Sax, and his four great-grandchildren Gray, Tessa, Noah, and Lily. There are numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins who will also miss him. The family wishes to extend extreme gratitude to his devoted caretakers, Chona Pascual, Marilyn Quinn, Tess Razal, and Mirna Jennings.

He lived a full life caring for his patients and enjoying his life to its fullest. Those who knew him will miss his infectious laugh and the twinkle in his eyes. L'chaim!

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Allergists’ Foundation of the American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology at https://college.acaai.org/about-us/the-allergists-foundation/support-the-foundation/ or to the charity of one's choice.

A graveside service for Joseph will be held Sunday, September 11, 2022 from 10:30 AM at Emanu El Memorial Park, 8341 Bissonnet St., Houston, TX 77074.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.levyfuneraldirectors.com for the Engler family.