- Sad News -
CBA Board Member

John Engel

Has Passed Away

April 2, 2002

It is with a heavy heart that I must announce the untimely passing of CBA Board Member John Engel early this morning. When he did not arrive at work this morning, his office sent somebody to check on him. It appears that he probably died of heart failure in his sleep. According to Jackson Lee, who saw him just a few days ago, John had stated that he did not feel very well and had an appointment to see his physician scheduled for tomorrow.

John joined the CBA Board of Directors last fall and during his brief tenure he was involved with the Musicians' Relief Fund, the Muddy Awards, the Willamette Delta Showcase and was planning on giving a class in writing grant proposals for the Board later this month.

Our deepest condolences to John's friends and family.

Memorial Service

Friends of John Engel are hosting a Blues Memorial in his honor. The show will be at the Westside Bar & Grill on Sunday, April 21st, from noon until 4:00pm. The Hudson Rocket Band will be the host band for an all-jam performance with any musician wanting to show up invited to take part. So far I have heard from many people that they are going to make a point to try and be there: AC Porter, Dave Kahl, Johnny Black, Bruce Withycomb (Kathy Walker Band), Drawback Slim and others.

If you have the afternoon open, please come down. We were asked to put on this event by the City of Beaverton, where John worked, and by his ex-wife as well. It has been said that the Mayor of Beaverton and Beaverton's Chief of Police may even attend in John's memory. John always had stated that if he should go before his time, he wanted people to have a party to celebrate him. So that is what we're doing.

Sunday, April 21st, Noon - 4:00 pm
Westside Bar & Grill
8775 SW Canyon Ln.
Portland OR 97225-3409
(503) 296-0050

- Greg Johnson
Vice President
Cascade Blues Association