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John Scott Engen (October 27, 1964 – August 15, 2022) was an American politician and journalist who served as mayor of Missoula, Montana, from 2006 until his death in 2022.

Early life and education

Engen was born in Missoula in October 27, 1964. He attended public schools in Missoula before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Montana.

Career

Before serving as mayor, Engen served on the Missoula City Council, worked as a journalist and newspaper editor, and operated a small business.

In 2013, Engen and the City of Missoula initiated a legal process to use eminent domain to require the city's privately held water utility be sold to the city. In June 2015, after a 10-day trial, the Fourth Judicial District Court found that the City of Missoula had the right to use eminent domain to acquire Mountain Water Co. The decision was appealed to the Montana Supreme Court, which issued an opinion upholding the district court order on August 2, 2016.

During the 2008 presidential election campaign, Engen endorsed Barack Obama.

In 2015, Engen was criticized after the city council approved adding morbid obesity surgeries to city health insurance coverage. At the time Engen refused all comment to local media on his involvement or benefit from the change. Later that year, Engen again refused to speak to the press but released a letter to the community stating he had undergone bariatric surgery on October 19 and was recuperating at home. He confirmed his insurance had paid all but $3,200 of the surgery costs, but refuted critics by saying his surgery would "not add to anyone's tax bill."

In October 2016, Engen took a month off work to enter a rehabilitation program for alcohol addiction.

Personal life

Engen died on August 15, 2022, at the age of 57 from pancreatic cancer. Engen left behind his long time partner Lucy Guthrie Beighle and her two children Allison and Calvin Beighle

References

1. John Scott Engen obituary
2. Engen for Mayor | About
3. Szpaller, Keila. "Engen re-elected to 3rd term as Missoula mayor". missoulian.com. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
4. "John Engen, Missoula mayor". missoulian.com. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
5. Szpaller, Keila. "Missoula files for eminent domain takeover of water system". missoulian.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
6. Kidston, Martin (June 15, 2015). "Missoula wins legal fight to take over Mountain Water Co". missoulian.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
7. "Montana Supreme Court Case Public View Docket Search". dataportal.mt.gov.
8. Szpaller, Keila. "Montana Supreme Court clears way for city's Mountain Water purchase". missoulian.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
9. Missoulian, CHELSI MOY of the. "Missoula Mayor John Engen makes national news with Obama endorsementPosted on March 29". missoulian.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
10. Szpaller, Keila. "City of Missoula adds morbid obesity benefit to health plan; mayor declines to discuss". missoulian.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
11. "Missoula mayor recovering from bariatric surgery". KECI. October 21, 2015.
12. Friesen, Peter (November 28, 2016). "Engen announces alcoholism treatment, re-election bid in open letter". missoulian.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
13. Erickson, David (August 15, 2022). "Missoula Mayor John Engen dies". The Missoulian. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
14. John Scott Engen obituary

External links

• Missoula Mayor Official Government Website
• Engen for Mayor Campaign Website
• Fans of Missoula Mayor John Engen Campaign Fansite
• Schwanke, Bill (2005). "Incoming!! three-part series with Missoula mayor-elect John Engen". The Missoulian. Archived from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.

• 1964 births
• 2022 deaths
• 21st-century mayors of places in Montana
• Deaths from pancreatic cancer
• Montana city council members
• Mayors of Missoula, Montana
• Montana Democrats
• University of Montana alumni