Karl Engelman, an emeritus associate professor of medicine in the Perelman School of Medicine, passed away on August 19. He was 89.

Born in New York City, Dr. Engelman spent his early years in Toms River, New Jersey, growing up on a farm that he remembered fondly throughout his life. He graduated from Toms River High School, where he met his future wife Elaine. Then, he attended Rutgers University, where he achieved Phi Beta Kappa and Cap & Skull honors when he graduated in 1955. He attended medical school at Harvard, graduating in 1959, and completed his internship and residency at Massachusetts General Hospital. He worked at the National Institute of Health, but he joined Penn’s faculty in 1970 as an associate professor in the department of medicine. During the 1980s, he served on the University Council’s Personnel Benefits Committee, and he served as chief of the hypertension and clinical pharmacology section in the cardiovascular pulmonary unit and as the director of Penn’s Clinical Research Center. In 1995, he retired and took emeritus status. 

Dr. Engelman spent his retirement years in Hilton Head, South Carolina, where he was active with Volunteers in Medicine. 

He is survived by his wife Elaine, sons Harry (Amy), Ross (Elizabeth), and Jeff (Kirstin), as well as eight grandchildren. A graveside service was held on August 25. Donations in Dr. Engelman’s memory may be made to Volunteers in Medicine Clinic, PO Box 23858, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29925 (www.vimclinic.org/donations/make-a-donation/), or Congregation Beth Yam, 4501 Meeting Street, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 29926.