By Karen Andrew
The Cincinnati Enquirer

KENWOOD--Although he served as the director of elementary education for Cincinnati for 12 years, Robert Lawrence Englert always told his family that his favorite position was when he served as an elementary school principal.

"He loved the interaction with his students," said his daughter, Carol Loew of Reading. "He had a positive influence on so many people - students, colleagues, family and friends; he had such a keen intellect, impeccable manners and a great command of the English language - a terrific vocabulary."

Mr. Englert died July 17 at East Galbraith Health Care Community in Deer Park. The Kenwood resident was 89.

Born in 1914 in Loveland to Harriet and Lawrence Englert, who owned Englert's Grocery on West Loveland Avenue, he graduated from Withrow High School in 1932.

He earned bachelor's degrees in English (1936) and education (1937) from the University of Cincinnati and went on to earn a master's degree in administration from Columbia University in 1941.

Mr. Englert began his career as an eighth-grade English teacher at Madisonville School before moving to Oakley Elementary. In 1942, he married Adelaide Perrine of Madisonville. While on their honeymoon, Mr. Englert received a telegram from the draft board.

From 1942 to 1946, he served in U.S. Army Intelligence and was stationed in the Aleutian Islands. He achieved the rank of captain.

After World War II, Mr. Englert returned to teach at a number of schools, including McKinley, Oakley and Central Fairmount. He was the assistant principal at Madisonville Elementary before becoming principal of Cummins School in 1951. He served as principal of the new Losantiville Elementary from 1954 to 1960.

When he was appointed director of elementary education in 1960, he worked with more than 60 elementary schools until his retirement in 1972.

His son, Tom of Nyack, N.Y., said his father's greatest interest and pride in life was everything involving his children and grandchildren.

Mr. Englert was a member of Kennedy Heights Presbyterian Church where he was an elder and deacon; the American Red Cross; the Cincinnati Schoolmasters Bowling League; the Insiders Outsiders Club; the Memmel Golf League; the Hamilton County Retired Teachers Association; and he was financial secretary for the teachers' Annuity and Aid Association of Hamilton County.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years in 1993 and a son, John.

In addition to his son and daughter, Mr. Englert is survived by four grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Aug. 16 at the Kennedy Heights Presbyterian Church, 6312 Kennedy Ave., Kennedy Heights.

Memorials: Kennedy Heights Presbyterian Church, 6312 Kennedy Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45213-1816 or the charity of donor's choice.

E-mail kandrew@enquirer.com