Kempthorne died Friday evening in Boise at age 72, surrounded by family, after a colon cancer diagnosis in 2025.
He served as Boise mayor, U.S. senator, Idaho governor, and Interior Secretary under President George W. Bush, with tributes from Governor Brad Little and other Idaho leaders.
Kempthorne was recently involved in championing the USS Idaho submarine and is remembered for his decades of public service and mentorship, with Idaho flags ordered at half-staff in his honor.
How did Kempthorne's transportation funding model change Idaho's infrastructure forever?
Did Kempthorne's Interior Dept. create a lasting blueprint for balancing conservation and energy?
What 'spiritual experience' helped Kempthorne save 50 more lives during the Kabul airlift?
How does a 2006 ruling under Kempthorne now challenge current oil projects in Alaska?
What is the tragic story behind the commissioning of the USS Idaho submarine?
Why was listing the polar bear as threatened so controversial for both sides?