John Thelburn Engle

John Thelburn Engle passed away on December 14, 2023, in Altamonte Springs, Florida. He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on August 30, 1944, to Eleanor Sawdon Engle and Thelburn LaRoy Engle, who loved and cherished him. John lived the first eighteen years of his life in Fort Wayne, in the company of his siblings, Charles and William (Bill), where they forged a bond that would last a lifetime. He had fond memories of his Hoosier childhood: listening to the beautiful organ at Forest Park Methodist Church, joining the Boy Scouts, competing in soapbox races, and attending North Side High School, where he played in the band. John was known for his integrity, keen mind, generous spirit, and loving heart.

After graduating from North Side High School, he pursued his passion for mathematics and the fledgling discipline of computer science at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, earning a degree in Mathematics with a minor in Physics. John continued his education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he was awarded a master's degree in Mathematics.

John moved to California in 1968 to work for the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in their Computations Department. John spent his professional life in the company of a team of scientists and researchers dedicated to "new ideas." He retired from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in 2004, proud to have been a part of over three decades of cutting-edge Science.

John had many interests. He combined his love of music and woodworking by collecting and restoring antique reed organs and early 19th-century barrel organs. He enjoyed nature photography and photographing theatrical performances. John had a special appreciation for the classic age of American Musical Theatre. He spent many summers in Fort Wayne volunteering and eventually interning at the Foellinger Theatre in Franke Park. When he moved to California, he continued to work as a lighting designer and stage manager for local theatre companies, including Woodminster Amphitheatre Summer Musicals, where he met and fell in love with Nancy McCullough, a native Californian and musical theatre fan.

In 1983, John and Nancy married. They built a life filled with love, laughter, family, theatre, and exploration. Together, they traveled the world, visiting every continent, including two journeys to Antarctica.

Predeceased by his parents, John's legacy is carried on by his loving wife, Nancy; his brothers, Charles Engle and William Engle; nieces, Deborah Engle Carlson, Andrea Engle Hansen, Janet Holsinger, Karen Engle, and Leah Shea; and nephew Kenneth Ainslie, as well as many grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

John's warmth, sense of humor, and the joy he brought to life will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His was a life well-lived and a legacy that will continue.

Funeral Service is 12:00 pm Saturday, January 6 at Lindenwood Cemetery - Bohn Chapel, 2324 West Main Street, Fort Wayne with calling two hours prior. Interment at Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne.