"Coach" Chuck Engler

“Coach” Chuck Engler passed away on Friday, October 13 at Resolute Hospital. He was born August 19, 1944 in New Braunfels, TX to Guswin and Ellen (Klobedans) Engler. His mother died when he was born and his dad was sent back to World War II, so Chuck was raised by his aunt and uncle, George and Edna Moeller. At age 8, Chuck started playing baseball for the Jaycee Little League Team, which started a long career and love of the game. Chuck was best on the mound pitching or at the plate batting. He was selected All District two years and played for the South Texas All Star Team for two years. While at New Braunfels High School, he was Junior Class President and Senior Class Vice-President. He was selected Best Personality his senior year. He graduated from New Braunfels High School in 1963.

He attended Southwest Texas State University and was a four year baseball letterman there, pitching for the Bobcats and was inducted into the “T” Association. While in college, he also played for the New Braunfels Lions and the SMI Steelers in Seguin, a semi-professional team. His hopes of being in the major leagues ended with a college injury. Chuck did his student teaching at New Braunfels Middle School and was immediately hired to coach and teach history at middle school. He graduated Southwest Texas State University in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He later received his Master of Arts and M.Ed. from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 1982.

In 1969, he married Gail Weyel and began what would become a 48 year marriage filled with love, respect, and happiness. They had two children, Kevin Christopher and Ellen Christine who were the light and joy of his life. Chuck was always active in family activities and loved spending time with his family traveling to Colorado in the summers and one fateful trip over Christmas break to a storm shelter in Vaughn, New Mexico.

He fulfilled his military obligation by enlisting in the Texas Air National Guard. While there, he was recruited to become a Ranger in the 101st Airborne Division. His military service was a source of great pride to him.

In 1970 Chuck became head baseball coach of the New Braunfels Unicorns, winning the first 5-A district title for the school. He was loved and respected by his players. He was so attached to the 1974 baseball team, that he named them all Godfathers to Kevin. He then returned to New Braunfels Middle School as a history teacher and “Disciplinarian” for a few years until John Turman called him to be Vice Principal at New Braunfels High School in 1979. While at New Braunfels High School, he helped run the school with tough love, being fair but firm, respectful and loving of all students, and instilled the virtue that “Unicorn Pride is Justified.” He was awarded many accolades including Life Memberships in the PTA, F.F.A., Band Boosters, and the Silver Unicorn Award. He and his students shared many antics together.

In 1996, he was reassigned to “The Memorials” and loved his time working with the younger children as well. After 32 years in education, he retired from New Braunfels ISD to spend more time with his other hobbies, manicuring his yard and traveling.

His greatest loves were God, his family, and his kids at NBISD. He was totally devoted to all three. Chuck was a diehard Longhorn fan, Ambassador at the Ex Student’s Association, and Life Member of the University of Texas Alumni Association. He was truly a great man and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, his daughter Ellen and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is survived by his wife Gail, son Kevin, daughter-in-law Mindee, and their children Liesl, Amelia, Karston and Gretchen and special friend John Turman.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 20th from 6:00 - 8:00PM at Zoeller Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be at First Protestant Church of New Braunfels on Saturday, October 21 at 2:00PM with a reception immediately following in Schumann’s Hall. Please wear your burnt orange, or blue and white to honor him. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Coach Engler Baseball Scholarship Fund at http://www.youcaring.com/Remembering-Coach. The family wishes to compile a book based on stories from his friends, family, and Unicorn graduates. The website to submit stories and pictures is https://sites.google.com/view/Remembering-Coach.