Christopher Koster Engles

Reverend Christopher Koster Engles, a musician, an inventor, an urban cowboy, an enigma of the American Spirit, and a longtime resident of Madison, WI, died unexpectedly on April 29th, 2020 at the age of 66 in the comfort of his 9th story “penthouse suite” apartment. Chris (known to his daughters as “Pirate Dad”) is survived by his 600 leather coats, his brother, Roy Engles; his children, Angel Settell; Christja Grabast, Elizabeth MacFarland, and Adam Engles; and by his grandchildren, Myranda, Adam, Zach Grabast of Nebraska; Madison, Aspen, and Clay Engles of Wisconsin. Chris was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on April 17th, 1954 to Edward Engles and Joan Wickman. He escaped the throes of adolescence at age 13 and was living independently during his teenage years where he proudly became enlightened by the rich hippie and punk rock counterculture movements of Madison - eventually becoming a local legend in his own right, known as ‘Zorro’. He often traveled throughout the country, residing in Nebraska, California, Nevada, and wherever else his adventures would take him. Chris was an innovative thinker, a humanitarian of sorts, and a self-taught musician. He was a particularly talented flute player. One of his proudest accomplishments was playing an extended flute solo with one foot stretched over his head, leaning over the Grand Canyon. He truly saw the value of embracing your inner child, and as such he enjoyed winning games such as chess, checkers, Scrabble, pool, euchre, and blackjack. He was also a problem-solver who would invent small gadgets for use around the house while also pondering ways to solve greater human issues such as renewable energy. One of his most notable inventions was his fish bridge, bridging as many as seven fish tanks together, in his apartment, so his fish could live together in communal unity. Chris was a very spiritual man who thought of spirituality with a transcendental eye, and even ordained himself as a minister online. His spirit will live on as a cosmic resident of the Universe.