Minor league umpire in the Sooner State League (1956), California League (1957-1961), and Pacific Coast League (1962-1965).
In April 1990, Engel was arrested when he shoplifted several boxes of baseball trading cards (over 4000 total cards) from a Target store in Bakersfield, California. He pled no-contest and resigned his umpire position. He was sentenced to three years' probation and 40 hours of community service.
National League umpire, 1965-1990.
Inducted into the Bob Elias Kern County [California] Sports Hall of Fame in 1975.
Served in U.S. Army, July 1953-May 1955.
Umpired first major league game 20 August 1965; umpired final major league game 24 April 1990.
Umpired six National League Championship series (1970, 1973, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1987); three World Series (1972, 1979, 1985); and four All-Star Games (1966, 1973, 1981, 1989).