Department of the Interior Former Secretary Dirk Kempthorne testifies during a joint House Subcommittees’ hearing of Oversight and Investigations, and of Energy and Environment, regarding the role of the Interior Department in the Deepwater Horizon disaster, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 20, 2010.
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
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Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
Dirk Kempthorne, a notable figure who served as both Idaho Governor and U.S. Interior Secretary, passed away at the age of 74, as announced by his family on Saturday.
Kempthorne died on Friday evening in Boise. While the cause was not disclosed, he had been battling colon cancer since last year.
His family expressed that beyond his public roles, Kempthorne was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather who cherished spending time with family and those he met. They highlighted his exceptional ability to connect with people, remembering names and stories that made individuals feel valued.
Kempthorne, a Republican, became the mayor of Boise in 1985 at 34, where he played a significant role in rejuvenating the downtown area by facilitating the construction of a convention center. After seven years, he transitioned to a national role, winning the U.S. Senate seat previously held by Sen. Steve Symms in 1992.
In Washington, he was instrumental in drafting legislation, signed by President Bill Clinton, that curtailed unfunded federal mandates on state and local governments.
In 1998, choosing not to seek reelection, Kempthorne pursued the governor’s office, winning decisively against his Democratic opponent with over two-thirds of the vote.
President George W. Bush appointed him as Interior Secretary in 2006, a role he held until the end of Bush’s presidency. During this time, he resided on a houseboat on the Potomac River.
In a statement, former President George W. Bush praised Kempthorne, calling him one of the finest public servants and commending his intelligence and capability. Bush noted Kempthorne’s dedication to land and water conservation as Interior Secretary.
While environmentalists sometimes viewed him as too favorable to the oil and gas industries, Kempthorne took a stand in 2008 by advocating for the polar bear to be classified as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act due to diminishing sea ice in the Arctic. He was willing to resign over this issue, but Bush ultimately supported his decision.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little remarked that Kempthorne left a lasting impact on the state. Alongside his wife, Patricia, Kempthorne championed children and families, improved public education, and led significant investments in the transportation system, benefiting future generations.
In a 2023 interview with the George W. Bush Presidential Center, Kempthorne shared his efforts to evacuate nearly 400 U.S. citizens and Afghan allies from Afghanistan two years earlier. This occurred as the Taliban sought many following the U.S. military’s withdrawal. Kempthorne and others worked tirelessly to secure funding and diplomatic support to charter buses and an Airbus A340 for resettling these individuals in the U.S. and Canada.
With the flight fully booked, organizers received a list of more people needing immediate evacuation. Kempthorne recounted feeling lost and praying for guidance. He then envisioned Mother Mary holding the infant Jesus, inspiring the idea that babies on the flight could sit on their parents’ laps, freeing up space for an additional 50 people. The airline confirmed this arrangement, allowing more evacuees to board.
Kempthorne is survived by his wife, along with their children Heather and Jeff and their families.
