PHOENIX, ARIZONA – Patrick Francis Gengler passed away on March 6, 2026 in Phoenix, AZ. Patrick was born in the spring of 1948. He was the youngest of 5 boys born to Anna (Schmidt) and Frowin Gengler. After Anna’s untimely death in 1950, the boys went to live with Anna’s brother Paul A. Schmidt and his wife Shirlie.
Pat and his brothers grew up working and socializing in the 8th & Mill Texaco that Paul owned and operated. All of the boys were mechanical, but Pat became well-known for his passion for everything on wheels. His eye for detail & mechanical skills were some of the best in the business, and he spent a lot of his early life fixing up cars and motorcycles. Acquiring over 100 memorable cars in his lifetime, Pat often sold them to eager buyers who knew they were getting a solid and unique vehicle that would also turn some heads and maybe win a few races.
Pat graduated Beloit High School in 1966 and attended NCK VoTech for Auto Mechanics.
Pat was an entrepreneur and always had an eye for new ideas. He bought & restored the Rainbow Tavern in the late 70’s. He owned the Smoker in the 80’s, and built a smokehouse out back for smoking ribs and served them on beer flats with cold beer. He owned The Depot in Osborne, KS, where he served lunch during the week and had bands playing on the weekends. He also established the 8th St. liquor store and an auto repair shop next to it on 8th & Mill. Pat was a hard worker, a good friend, and never knew a stranger.
Pat moved to Phoenix in the late 80’s. He owned and operated a pool installation & maintenance company and consulted for many others. He loved mentoring younger techs and was well known in the area for solving tough problems and mastering heavy repairs with quality work.
Patrick was preceded in death by his parents, Anna and Frowin Gengler, uncle & aunt, Paul and Shirlie Schmidt, 4 brothers: Paul, Noel, Jim, and Mark (Leo), and daughter Neile Anne. Patrick had 2 marriages: Barbara Finney in 1969 and Patty McChesney in 1988. He is survived by one daughter, Amy Jo Accardi of Boulder, CO, many nieces and nephews, and friends from the Phoenix and Beloit areas.
A celebration of life with be held in Phoenix, AZ on April 11.
