Bob Engemann: Mormon Singer

Robert “Bobby” Phillip Engelmann was an entertainer and one of the original members of the 1950s and ’60s singing group The Lettermen. The Lettermen were unknown until they signed with Capitol Records in 1961, with the help of Engemann’s brother Karl. The numerous hits Engemann enjoyed singing include "When I Fall in Love" and "Theme From A Summer Place." Billboard Magazine called The Lettermen the number 1 adult contemporary and romantic group of all time. They enjoyed 20 hit singles, 46 albums (nine gold albums), five Grammy nominations and sold more $30 million in records. The other original members included Jim Pike, whom Engemann met at Brigham Young University and Tony Butala. The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

Engemann was born in Highland Park, Michigan, on February 19, 1935. He attended BYU and served in the US Air Force.

Engemann was a development officer for BYU raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the school and was a key fundraiser in expanding what is now LaVell Edwards Stadium. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a full-time mission to Minnesota. Family members recall that he was a missionary his entire life, and was always prepared to share the gospel.[1]

After The Lettermen, Engemann ran Independent Recording Studios, recording hit records with such artists as The Beach Boys, Paul Anka, Mac Davis, Bobby Gentry, and Olivia Newton John, among others, and worked for several music and Hanna-Barbera television productions. He later formed a trio with Jim Pike and Ric de Azevedo called Reunion.

He married Betty Crail in the Los Angeles Temple. They were the parents of four children and one foster daughter. He passed away on January 20, 2013.