Jules was delightfully humorous. Even in the hospital his last days, he maintained the sense of humor in carried throughout his life. I had the honor and privilege of being with Jules until he passed during these last two and a half weeks, and I would like to share a few of those moments with you.

Fantasia shows early hints of the experimental films Engel would do later on in his career. © Walt Disney Pictures.

Jules was a vital soul who lived and died in a manner consistent with the essential vibrancy of himself. While in the hospital, as was often the case, he got his days and nights somewhat mixed up, so he would rest during the day, and at night he was ready to “rock and roll.” At one point, sometime early one morning, he said to me: “I’m dying. Don’t they have a suite for this?” Laughing, my response to him was, “Oh, Jules, we will try to find you a room with a window tomorrow!”

Another moment full of humor was one morning around 4:00 am when Jules looked up at me and said, “This is boring!” Laughing with him again, I said to him “this must be SO boring for you – looking at the same walls and the same people day in and day out! Would you like to see the sports page of the newspaper from yesterday?” [Pause.] “Quite frankly, I don’t know what to do with myself.” [Longer pause.] But, what the hell? Give it to me and I’ll act like I’m doing something!”

What an incredible man. What a life we have the gift of receiving. Jules Engel was a superbly elegant, kind and genuinely nice man. A philanthropist. A true visionary who fostered the talents of all he met.

The hat, the glasses, the ascot and the dark jacket.

How do we begin to thank such an endearing soul and life affirming energy — a life that cannot deny itself. He continues to blossom through all of us who have been touched by his wit and wisdom. It is indicative of Engel’s large presence as a talent that today, September 13, 2003, we celebrate the magnificence of Engel’s life at Forest Lawn while, simultaneously, one of Jules’ paintings from 1966 is being exhibited in one of the “Pattern and Decoration” exhibitions curated by Michael Duncan opening at Bergamot Station’s Rosamund Felsen Gallery. How many people can say they are having a funeral and an opening at the same time! Engel’s parallel careers continue uninterrupted in the face of his mortality. How lovely, indeed.

In closing,

Thank you, dearest Jules Engel, for being the extraordinary human being you are. The honor of knowing you was ours.

The privilege of learning from you was ours.

The delight of sharing your humor was ours.

The genius and supremely individualized vision you brought to the history of our lives, was yours.

Janeann Dill
M.F.A., M.A., B.A. Engel biographer and artist in residence for the Creative Alliance at The Patterson, Baltimore, USA and doctoral candidate, Europäische Universität für Interdisziplinare Studien (European Graduate School), Switzerland.

It was indeed a moment of grief having heard about the death of animation pioneer Jules Engel. Our deepest thoughts are with him always… may his soul rest in eternal peace.

Sincerely yours,
Vineet Surana
Champion Media Works