Former Idaho Gov. and U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne has died at age 74, his family said in a written statement Saturday.
Kempthorne died Friday evening in Boise. No cause was given, but he had been diagnosed with colon cancer last year.
"Beyond his public service, he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather whose greatest joy came from time spent with family and the people he met along the way," his family said. "He had a rare gift for truly seeing others — remembering names, stories, and the small details that made each person feel known and valued."
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive groups acknowledged Kempthorne's tenure but noted areas of disagreement during his time as Interior secretary.
Environmental advocates recalled that while Kempthorne was responsible for listing the polar bear as a threatened species in 2008, they often found him too accommodating of oil and gas industry interests. "His record on conservation reflected the political realities of the Bush administration," one environmental group noted in a statement.
What the Right Is Saying
"As Governor, Dirk left an enduring mark on our state," Idaho Gov. Brad Little said in a written statement. With the partnership of his wife, Patricia, Kempthorne "championed children and families, strengthened public education, and led transformational investments in our transportation system that will benefit Idahoans for generations."
Republican officials remembered Kempthorne as a dedicated public servant who rose from mayor of Boise at age 34 to the U.S. Senate and eventually the Cabinet.
What the Numbers Show
Kempthorne was elected mayor of Boise at age 34 and served seven years in that role before winning election to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Sen. Steve Symms.
In his 1998 gubernatorial campaign, Kempthorne won more than two-thirds of the vote against his Democratic opponent — a decisive victory in a solidly Republican state.
He served as Interior secretary from 2006 until the end of President George W. Bush's administration.
Kempthorne is survived by his wife Patricia, their children Heather and Jeff, and their families.
The Bottom Line
Kempthorne's political career spanned four decades across local, state, and federal government. As governor, he was credited with investments in education and transportation that Idaho officials say continue to benefit the state. His work at the Interior Department placed him at the center of debates over public lands, wildlife conservation, and energy development.
In recent years, Kempthorne participated in efforts to help evacuate nearly 400 U.S. citizens and Afghan allies from Afghanistan following the chaotic U.S. military withdrawal, working with diplomatic channels to arrange transportation for evacuees.