12/29/2025
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Dr. Wayne Engel. A man whose kindness, generosity, and love for people helped shape the heart of our inn long before it carried the name Friendly City Inn.
For nearly 30 years, Wayne dedicated himself to this home as the owner and innkeeper of the former Stonewall Jackson Inn. He greeted every guest with warmth in his eyes, a genuine smile, and a way of making you feel like you belonged here. His hospitality was a gift he shared freely, and countless people left this place feeling seen, welcomed, and cared for.
Before his years in hospitality, Wayne spent much of his life shaping minds and supporting students as a professor at James Madison University. His encouragement, compassion, and belief in others followed him throughout every chapter of his life.
Even after retiring, Wayne remained our next door neighbor and, in many ways, a quiet guardian of this property. He watched over the inn with pride, shared stories of its past, and continued to bring a sense of steadiness and comfort to this little corner of Harrisonburg.
Wayne lived with a rare sincerity, the kind that touches people long after a conversation ends.
His legacy lives on in the walls of this home, in the memories of former guests, and in the community he cared for so deeply.
Our hearts are with his family, his friends, and everyone who loved him.
Thank you, Wayne, for the warmth, the history, and the humanity you brought to this place. You will be missed more than words can express.
