Obituary of Dorsey E. Enck

Dorsey E. “Gene” Enck, 88, of Elizabethtown, PA, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday morning, November 30, 2024 at Masonic Health Care Center.  Born in Elizabethtown, he was the son of the late Eugene Z. and Lucetta Frey Enck.  He was the husband of Kim L. Hippensteel Enck for 33 years on June 15.  He was preceded in death by his first wife, Kay A. Landis Enck, in 1985 after 27 years of marriage.

After Gene graduated from Elizabethtown High School in 1954, he enrolled at Millersville State College and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial arts.  While a student at Millersville, he was a varsity footballer player, wrestler, and on the track team.  He was also a member of Phi Sigma Pi fraternity and vice-president of the varsity club.  After college graduation, Gene returned to his beloved hometown to begin his illustrious career in education as an industrial arts teacher in the Elizabethtown Area School District.  During that time, he also received a Master of Education degree in industrial arts from Penn State University.  He was also an assistant football and wrestling coach for the school district as well as part-time curriculum coordinator.  From 1960-66, he served in the US Army, Army Reserve, and the PA National Guard.

In 1965, he transitioned into education administration and became the federal programs and curriculum coordinator for the district.  During this time, he also was a part-time instructor for three years at Elizabethtown College in the department of engineering.  From 1970-77, Gene was assistant to the superintendent for educational programs and personnel.  This experience prepared him to become the Director of Educational Management Services for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association until 1991.

In 1991, he accepted the position of Executive Director of Associated School Boards of South Dakota for 13 years before retiring and returning to Perry County in 2005.  While living in South Dakota, he was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ.  He was also a member of New Harvest Community Church in Millerstown.

Gene moved back to Elizabethtown in 2014 and rejoined his childhood church, First Church of God where he was church council president, senior high and adult Sunday school teacher, member of men’s fellowship, and active with Tehom house church. 

Everywhere Gene lived, he was a member and past president of local Lions Clubs.  He was also involved in politics as a Republican committeeman for Upper Mount Joy Twp., Mount Joy Twp. Zoning Hearing Board, as well as other community organizations.  He enjoyed owning and riding Quarter horses and mentoring young 4-H members to appreciate horse-related activities.  He also had a fondness for outdoor activities such as canoeing, camping, hunting, raising hunting hounds, and exploring state and national parks.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Kurt Eugene Enck, partner of Laura Zell, of Mount Joy, and Tad Warren, husband of Brenda Henkel Enck, of Carthage, SD; two stepsons, Aaron Bruce, husband of Laurie Hansen Chittum, of Alexandria, MN, and Brent Becker Chittum of Elizabethtown; seven grandchildren, Heidi Tobin (Kyle Hapney) DeSmet, SD, Danielle Henkel of Rapid City, SD, Merrik Enck of Carthage, SD, Kyler and Tristan Enck of Philadelphia, and Katharine and Caroline Chittum, of Alexandria, MN; three great grandchildren, Ryder Tobin, Ace and Laramie Hapney, all of DeSmet, SD; a brother, Robert Lee Enck, of Elizabethtown; and a mother-in-law, Barbara A. Andrews of Elizabethtown.  Gene was also preceded in death by a brother, Jay Gilbert Enck.

A celebration of Gene’s life will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 11:00 AM at John S. Sell Memorial Chapel, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown.  There will be no public viewing.  The family will receive guests on Thursday morning from 10:00 AM until the time of the service.  All are invited to join the family for a luncheon and fellowship immediately following the service.  Private interment will be in Trinity Lutheran Church of Colebrook Cemetery.  Please omit flowers.  Gene would have appreciated donations to Elizabethtown Area Education Foundation, 600 East High Street, Elizabethtown, PA 17022.  To express a condolence with the family or for additional information, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.