Tributes to Engen poured in from around the world on Monday as news of his death spread. Everyone from small business owners to elected officials on both sides of the political aisle to nonprofit leaders posted heartfelt condolences on social media. In a somber news conference Monday afternoon, acting Mayor Gwen Jones and City Council member Jordan Hess said Engen left big shoes to fill. John Engen, the local kid who went from newspaper columnist to Missoula’s longest-serving mayor, died Monday of pancreatic cancer. Tommy Martino “John loved this community more than anyone I know,” Hess said. “(Engen) has been an amazing mayor who has brought this city forward and turned it into a city — the creative, beautiful Missoula we all know and love,” Jones added. “He drove with humor, strength and grace. We were lucky to have him for so many years.”
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As City Council President, Jones has been handling some of Engen’s duties as his health has recently declined. He said the city will begin accepting applications for a new mayor on Tuesday because state law requires an expedited timeline. He also said he does not plan to run and will remain on the City Council once someone is appointed by the council. Engen, 57, won his fifth term last November with 62 percent of the vote in an election that focused heavily on the city’s affordable housing and homelessness challenges. Last month, he unveiled a 2023 budget with an expected 12 percent tax increase as the withdrawal of federal COVID aid forced him to push for local support for innovative responses city government had developed during the pandemic. “I think this is a place where people, the majority of people, value human life and service to one another and what that means,” Engen said during a celebration of his 2021 re-election victory. . “It’s an extremely generous community. We won’t take advantage, but we’ll stand by you and help you get back on your feet if you can get there.” Born and raised in Missoula, Engen was the city’s 50th mayor. He was first elected in 2005 and served continuously from 2006 until his death. He previously served as a city council member representing the Rattlesnake and North Missoula neighborhoods. Before entering active politics, he worked at the Missoulian as an editor and columnist, then founded his own travel agency and public relations firm. Missoula City Council President and Interim Mayor Gwen Jones speaks about John Engen at a news conference Monday. BEN ALLAN SMITH, Missoulian “With a heart the size of the Treasure State for his city, Mayor Engen has served his community for decades,” Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte wrote in a statement. “The city of Missoula and the state lost a giant today. We pray for his loved ones and the people he served.” Former Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer also called the Missoulian to share his thoughts. “Mayor Engen was one of the most influential leaders in Montana history,” Schweitzer said. “I think one of his greatest civic accomplishments was when he took over the Carlyle Group so that the people of Missoula could own the public water system. Not only do they now own the water system, but it means that Missoulians now also manage the Rattlesnake Wilderness Watershed.” Schweitzer noted that while Engen had many people in his corner as he took on Carlyle, he also faced heaps of criticism over the years for his decision to take on the global equities firm. “When you climb the mountain, sometimes you bend your toe,” Schweitzer said. “But nobody remembers that when you put your flag on top.” In 2017, Engen gave a candid speech to a crowd of healthcare students in which he acknowledged that he struggled with depression and alcoholism but was seeking treatment. Engen attended Hellgate High School and the University of Montana, wrote for Hellgate Lance and Montana Kaimin as a student, and often helped journalism students as a mayor by asking questions for class assignments. Missoula Mayor John Engen hugs City Council President Marilyn Marler after Engen announced the city and Liberty Utilities reached an agreement allowing the city to acquire the water utility by the end of May 2017. The city paid $96.4 million dollars in the deal. Tom Bauer University of Montana President Seth Bodnar sent an email Monday saying that Engen was a “fierce supporter” of his university and that he never wavered from his belief that the success of UM and the Missoula community went hand in hand. “Over the past five months as John battled pancreatic cancer, he continued to radiate an infectious desire and energy for the good of all,” Bodnar said. The three Missoula County commissioners — Josh Slotnick, Juanita Vero and Dave Strohmeier — issued a joint statement expressing their regret. “Our hearts are heavy with the news of Mayor Engen’s passing,” the commissioners wrote. “John was our colleague in the leadership of this community, but more importantly, he was our friend. He led Missoula with kindness, compassion and humor. Everything he did, every decision he made, was in the best interest of making the hometown to a better place. We will miss him dearly.” Former conservative Missoula City Council member Jesse Ramos said he grew closer to Engen despite their policy differences. “The mayor and I certainly, and very publicly, had our differences,” Ramos said. “Being on opposite sides of the political aisle, especially in this climate, usually means a deep contempt for each other. This was true for John and I for my first two years on the council. However, anyone who knows John knows that this was not sustainable. We both quickly learned that we had more in common than either of us wanted to admit.” Ramos said that over the past two years, he and Engen have gone from “enemies” to dear friends. “John’s personality was contagious, as was his passion for leadership and his sense of humor,” Ramos said. “John had a unique ability to connect with people, even a loud-mouthed council member whom he described as his biggest ‘pain in the arm.’ John cared deeply about his community and devoted his life to service. His death is a devastating loss to our community and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.” Tom Bensen, former director of Arts Missoula, said Engen was someone who took his work seriously but never took himself too seriously, being a master of self-deprecating humor. “As an elected official, he never stopped listening to others, maintaining his empathy, altruism, honesty and overall professionalism,” Bensen said. “His steadfast leadership and determination to ensure the city’s ownership of our water will benefit Missoula for generations. His support of local non-profit organizations made Missoula a more desirable place to live. Mentor, friend and true champion for our city. We will miss him terribly.” John Engen views election results on election night Nov. 9, 2005, with City Council members Jack Reidy, left, and Ed Childers, center. …
