Honoring a Legacy: Former Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne lies in state at State Capitol
Seth Ratliff
BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Idahoans are paying tribute this weekend to Dirk Kempthorne—the former Idaho Governor, U.S. Senator, and Boise Mayor—who passed away last month at the age of 74 following a battle with colon cancer.
On Friday, May 15th, Kempthorne lies in state inside the Idaho Capitol rotunda, where members of the public are invited to pay their respects until 7:00 p.m.
Memorial Service and Procession Schedule
Tomorrow, Saturday, May 16, the Capitol rotunda will reopen for a final public viewing. Following the viewing, at 10 a.m., a formal procession will escort Kempthorne from the Capitol to the Cathedral of the Rockies in Boise.
The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Rockies. The service is open to the public.
Following the funeral, Kempthorne will be laid to rest at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise.
A Legacy of Public Service
Kempthorne passed away on Friday, April 24th, surrounded by his family. His death marks the loss of one of Idaho’s most prominent modern political figures, whose career spanned municipal, state, and federal leadership.
Throughout his career, Kepmpthorne served as the mayor of Boise from 1986 to 1993 before being elected to the U.S. Senate from 1993 to 1999. He went on to become Idaho’s governor, serving from 1999 to 2006. He later served as the 49th U.S. Secretary of the Interior from 2006 to 2009 under President George W. Bush.
Following the news of his passing, current state leaders released statements honoring Kempthorne’s enduring legacy and character.
“I will always remember Dirk’s generosity and warmth. He was thoughtful, gracious, and deeply committed to the people around him,” said Governor Brad Little.