Nick Begich

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Nicholas Joseph (Nick) Begich, Sr. (April 6, 1932 – October 16, 1972) was a Democratic Party member of the United States House of Representatives. He was born and raised in Eveleth, Minnesota, having attended Saint Cloud State University and the University of Minnesota before pursuing his doctorate at the University of Colorado and the University of North Dakota.

After the completion of his doctorate, Begich took a position as a principal in Fort Richardson, Alaska. During his time in Fort Richardson he joined the state senate where he served for eight years.

In 1970, Begich was elected to the at large seat for the state of Alaska. He served until a mysterious plane crash on October 16, 1972. Begich was in the process of campaigning during the crash. Also aboard were Representative Hale Boggs of Louisiana, and two others. All were presumed dead after an exhaustive 39-day search did not find any remains. The accident prompted Congress to pass a law mandating emergency locator transmitters (now called emergency position-indicating rescue beacons) in all U.S. civil aircraft.

During the period of the search, he was elected to a second term in the United States House. He was declared dead on December 29, 1972 at 40 years old and a special election was announced. Republican state senator Don Young won the election and took Begich's seat, and has held it ever since.

Nick Begich's son, Mark Begich, is the current mayor of Anchorage, Alaska.