Richard Engar’s journey with Phi Kappa Phi began in 1975 when he earned membership through the University of Utah. A year later, he graduated from the U of U, proudly wearing his Phi Kappa Phi regalia, a symbol of academic excellence he has cherished for nearly five decades. His commitment to the Society has remained steadfast, reflecting a lifelong dedication to intellectual curiosity and personal growth.

After earning his dental degree from the University of Washington in 1980 and completing a residency at Sinai Hospital of Detroit, Richard Engar spent a decade running a successful dental practice. In 1991, he transitioned into professional liability insurance, becoming CEO of Professional Exchange Mutual, Inc., the nation’s first single-state, self-insured malpractice company for dentists. Over the next three decades, he led the organization through legal complexities and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic before retiring in 2020.

Even amid a demanding career, Engar never abandoned his childhood passion, building plastic scale model aircraft. What began as a pastime evolved into a full-fledged hobby and, eventually, a vision. By early 2021, Engar turned that dream into reality, opening a scale model museum in a space generously offered by a former board member. Today, more than 300 meticulously crafted models are displayed by type and era, alongside posters, awards, and suspended aircraft, drawing a steady stream of enthusiastic visitors.

The museum also houses a dedicated art studio, where Engar has been enjoying this other hobby, watercolor painting. With paints ready to refresh at any time, he has completed several landscape paintings, earning awards at local competitions, a testament to his skill and dedication.

Engar’s hobbies not only allow him to stay engaged in retirement but also reflect the same creativity, precision, and persistence that have defined his professional life. Among his proudest achievements is a recently completed B-26 model, a World War II medium bomber celebrated for its exceptional safety record. The model recently won an award at a contest in Boise, Idaho.

Phi Kappa Phi is also a family tradition for the Engars. Both of his sons, Robert and Thomas, were inducted during their studies at U of U, and their sister, Julia, was also inducted there. His wife, Ann Engar, a recently retired U of U professor, was granted honorary membership. The shared connection to Phi Kappa Phi underscores a legacy of academic excellence and lifelong learning within the family. Through decades of professional achievement, hobbies, and family, Engar exemplifies the values of lifelong learning, creativity, and dedication that Phi Kappa Phi celebrates.

To learn more about Engar and connect, visit his profile within our online member community here.