John Engen, Missoula’s 50th and longest-serving mayor, died on Monday at the age of 57 after battling pancreatic cancer. 

Born and raised in Missoula, Engen went to Whittier Grade School, and graduated from Hellgate High School.

He attended the University of Montana and he received a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He went on to work for the Missoulian newspaper for several years before becoming the member of the Missoula City Council.

Engen was first elected mayor of Missoula in 2005 before being reelected four times to become the city’s longest-serving mayor.

“John was one of the kindest, funniest and most thoughtful people I have ever worked with. He dedicated his life to serving the town where he was born and raised, and he went to work every day with a vision of how a great place could be even better. He was bold in leadership, thoughtful in approach, fiercely loyal and steadfast in his determination to make life better for every member of his community. Missoula and all of Montana lost a legend today,” said former Governor of Montana Steve Bullock said in a press release. 

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Several people paid tributes to him on social media. 

Wilmot Collins, the mayor of Helena, tweeted, “I’m deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my good friend, Mayor John Engen—who was a role model for so many across our state, including myself. I learned a lot about leadership from Mayor Engen and I know that the city of Missoula will sorely miss the leader in him.”

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Monica Tranel, a Democratic congressional candidate for Montana’s western House of Representatives seat, tweeted, “I’m deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mayor John Engen.

I learned so much about what public service means from Mayor Engen. His duty and commitment to our home was inspiring and wonderful. His loss will be felt in Missoula and throughout Montana.”