After serving as the Superintendent of the Homestead National Historical park northwest of Beatrice for the past 24 years, Mark Engler will be retiring at the end of the month.

“I have been thinking about for a while…I’ve been thinking about it for about a year”

Engler started his career with the National Park Service in 1977 with a maintenance job at the Homestead. He left the Homestead for a period of time and returned in 19-97 to serve as the Superintendent…

“One of the highlights has to be is how the community came together to support us and citizens thru out the area being there to help us and seeing this National Park site move forward. One of the important things to keep in mind when you think about sites like Homestead National Historical Park a lot of what happens depends upon the help and support that is received from the local community. And it has been that help and that support that has allowed us to have a lot of fun and to see us improve and grow.”

Over his 24 years Engler has over seen the construction of the Heritage Center, help organize the Solar Eclipse event, launching the Homestead Monument quarter and seeing the park’s name change from Monument to Historical Park.

Engler says he has enjoyed working with community members, members of the Beatrice City Council, Gage County Board of Supervisors, along with Friends of the Homestead.

Engler began serving as Superintendent of the park on September 17, 19-97.

“I do remember that first day and sitting down talking with the staff and trying to figure out the direction we needed to go.”

What's his plans for retirement?  Engler tells KWBE Radio that he is looking forward to spending time with his family.