HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) -- An influential member of the Evansville Civic Theatre (ECT) has passed away.

Dick Engbers was the original artistic director for the theatre and began his history with them back in 1965, being cast as Yellow Feather in "Little Mary Sunshine." According to the ECT, Engbers continued working as an actor and director for the next ten years and was instrumental in securing the theatre's building on the corner of Fulton and Columbia.

In 1977, Engbers became the theatre's first full-time, professional artistic director and would hold this position until retiring in 2004. ECT says if there is anyone to be considered as the patriarch or even the architect of modern theatre in Evansville, it would be Engbers.

Engbers was 83 years old.

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