SUNY Maritime College 2019-2020 Annual Report

PLANNED GIVING

BRIAN DENGEL ’79 A Lifelong Connection Through Giving

Brian G. Dengel, Class of 1979, has always considered himself to be a simple person with a basic philosophy, “Whether you know it or not, there’s always someone in need.” A Bronx native - who along with his brother, was raised by his dedicated, single mom - he understood the elements of financial disadvantage all too well from a young age. He attended Fort Schuyler after learning about the College from a friend, and was not fully aware of what the field of engineering entailed.

Dengel. During his 15 years with the company, Dengel never once forgot Fort Schuyler, consistently giving back to the College. He became a lifelong member of the Alumni Association, regularly made time to return to Fort Schuyler every year for the first 20 years since graduating, and spent many summers teaching cadets on the Empire State. Dengel pursued a master’s degree in Engineering at Florida Institute of Technology where he met his wife, who was pursuing the same degree. Her life was sadly cut short when their children were only two and four years old and Dengel found himself raising two children on his own. After taking a few years off from work, Dengel began teaching Math and Physics at the Art Institute of Philadelphia, PA and continued there until his retirement in 2017. Despite the distance from PA to the Bronx, Dengel has remained closely tied to Fort Schuyler. Since his graduation over forty years ago, Dengel has given generously to both the College and the Maritime College Alumni Association. Along with his friend and college roommate, Bart

Eckhardt ’79, they established the Surfaceblow Fund, which focuses on improving the needs of the engineering department. Having included a substantial bequest for the Surfaceblow Fund in his estate plans, Dengel has become a proud member of the College’s St. Mary’s Society. “Fort Schuyler taught me discipline, analytical and sequential skills. These skills were paramount to my career,” he stated. “Maritime College gave me the opportunity to change my life and I find the more I give, the better my life is.” Dengel continues to maintain contact with many of his classmates and is determined to stay connected to the College. His optimistic and altruistic perspective remains unchanged as well. “The Bronx is a great place to come from and if I can help a Schuyler student, then I would like to give to those who need.”

“Whether you know it or not, there’s always someone in need.” –Brian Dengel ’79

He studied Ocean Engineering and after graduating from Fort Schuyler, went straight to work for Exxon Shipping Company, worked his way up and retired as chief engineer. “When I began at Maritime College, I had no idea of how ships operated. Working for Exxon and moving various ships, gave me the chance to travel all over the world,” stated

Gifts to support Maritime College through PLANNED GIVING can be an important part of one’s financial and estate planning. Planned gifts, including bequests and life income gifts, are designed to help one meet their financial and charitable goals while supporting Fort Schuyler in the long term. Visit the College website (www.sunymaritime.giftlegacy.com) to learn more about planned giving and how it can benefit the College, the giver and their heirs in the future.

Brian Dengel with his niece, Kim in front of the plaque presented by the College. He is recognized as a member of the St. Mary’s Society.

14 Annual Report 2019-2020