In Andy Engel’s last column for the March/April 2013 issue of Professional Deck Builder, the magazine that he had been hired to edit five years previously, he wrote, “In this job, I met a lot of great people: colleagues, authors, and readers. I think it’s safe to say that I made more friends than enemies.” That was true then, and even more true today.
While he may have ruffled a few industry feathers with his no-nonsense approach to journalism, over the 25+ years that I’ve known Andy, I’ve never met anyone who didn’t have great respect for him as an editor and writer, a talented carpenter, a family man, an engaging and observant conversationalist, and as a friend. Sadly, Andy passed away suddenly last week at his home in Roxbury, Conn., following a heart attack. He was 60 years old.
Andy’s path and mine often seemed to cross. When I left my full-time position as an editor at Fine Homebuilding magazine back in 1996, he was hired there to take my seat. Both he and I wrote books that were published by FHB‘s publisher, the Taunton Press. And when the publisher of JLC, Hanley Wood, hired Andy in 2007 to take the reins of its newly acquired publication Professional Deck Builder, I had been working as a JLC editor since 2005. While he was running the show at PDB, the two magazines shared editorial, art, and production services, and we were in frequent contact, even while he worked remotely to remain in the home that he built on his “gentleman’s farm” in Roxbury. At least, that’s how I always envisioned it; I know he owned a classic IH Farmall tractor, and I was always looking forward to hearing about his next project.
Selected Reading
During his years as editor of PDB, every issue included an editor's letter from Andy Engel. Here is a selection.
Reconnecting With the Past
The Tribulations of Working Outside
Thinking About Working
Tragedies Remind Us What Matters
What Will You Be Remembered For?
Loyalty
Making it to the Bell
Andy remained in close touch with the JLC community after leaving PDB. Many of you probably met him on the JLC Live show floor, where he could often be found sporting a kilt during one of his presentations, or – later – as the show floor manager. As JLC editor Clayton DeKorne says, he was a true friend of JLC and a constant behind-the-scenes supporter. In fact, just the week before he died, Andy had steered another potential JLC contributor with a compelling article idea our way, notes DeKorne.
Through his work at FHB, PDB, JLC, as lead carpenter for Hudson Valley Preservation in Kent, Conn., and as a self-employed carpenter both before and after these stints, Andy played a large role in making the building community better. As Andy himself might have said about his life, he nailed it.
Andy is survived by his wife Patricia Steed and his two sons, Duncan and Kevin. You can learn more about Andy’s life by reading his full obituary here.
