Captain Robert Curtis Engram, USN Retired, was born January 5, 1921 in Lake Worth, Florida. He was the son of the late John Claude and Lucile Engram. He attended Georgia Institute of Technology and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Later he attended George Washington University taking graduate studies in Business Management and Marketing.
In 1943, he joined the United States Navy as an ensign serving in the Pacific in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. In 1966 he was assigned to re-open the Naval Battalion Center (the Seabee Base) here in Gulfport and served as its Commander for two years. While Captain Engram commanded the Gulfport Seabee Center, four permanent structures were completed and more than $2.6 million in construction was underway. During his two year tenure as commanding officer, the center grew from a homeport for two mobile construction battalions to a """"bustling"""" homeport for seven MCB's. In his 27 year Navy career, his military service included: U.S.S. Casablanca, U.S. M.A.S. Norfolk, Virginia, C.B.D. 1509 Kwajalien, P.W.O. U.S. N.H. Great Lakes, U.S. N.S.Y. New York, D.P.W.O. Kodiak, Alaska, N.O.T.S. China Lake, California, C.O. MCB-4 Davisville, I.C.A.F. Washington D.C., Subic Bay, Philippines, C.O. CBC Gulfport, Mississippi, M.A.C.V. Saigon, Vietnam. During his Navy career, Captain Engram was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He retired from the United States Navy in 1970 as Captain.
Upon retirement from the Navy he became Port Director of the Port of Gulfport and remained in that position for 8 years. In 1978 he joined Ryan-Walsh Stevedoring Company as Assistant Port Manager, Gulfport, Mississippi. In late 1978 he was promoted to Vice President, Ryan-Walsh Stevedoring Company and became Port Manager, Pascagoula, Mississippi. In 1989 he was assigned duties as Vice President and Manager of all Ryan-Walsh Activities in the State of Mississippi. As Vice President of Mississippi operations he managed the Columbus port on the Tennessee-Tombigbee River, bulk unloading facilities at Port Bienville, Mississippi and managed the large operations in both the Port of Gulfport and Pascagoula.
In these capacities he was responsible for the development of International trade through the State of Mississippi, requiring that he travel internationally to develop trade through Ports under his jurisdiction.
When gaming became a reality in Mississippi, the late Governor Kirk Fordice appointed Captain Engram to be one of the first three Gaming Commissioners, where he developed the Engram Regulation, requiring all casinos to have on-land, permanent developments. He is affectionately known as the """"father of infra-structure.""""
In recent years, Captain Engram has served on the Inland Rivers, Ports and Terminals, Inc. Committee, was a Consultant to SSA Marine, served as Consultant and Chair, Compliance Committee, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and was a board member of the Gulf Coast Symphony. His church affiliation was the Nourishing Place.
Captain Engram is survived by his wife, Carmen Marie King, four Daughters, Robin Denny (Jim), Alexis Diel (Kendall), Joanie Bibb (Harry) and Sheila O'Leary; nine grandchildren, Scott, John and Joanie Jack, Adam Diel, Kimberly Napoli, Annalise and Hunter Bibb, Michael and Aaron O'Leary; and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Jack Engram and his three children.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial donations to The Nourishing Place, P.O. Box 7785, Gulfport, Mississippi 39506.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, November 13, 2007, at the Seabee
Memorial Chapel, Navy Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Mississippi. Visitation is from 12:15 P.M. until 1:30 P.M. with services at 1:30 P.M. Interment is at the National Cemetery, Veterans Administration, Biloxi, Mississippi at 2:30 P.M. Entrance to the Seabee Base will be through the 25th Street (Pass Road) Gate.
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, Mississippi is in charge of arrangements.