Former U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne dead at 74
Dirk Kempthorne, a Republican who served as U.S. Senator and Governor of Idaho before becoming Secretary of the Interior under President George W. Bush, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 74.
Kempthorne died in Boise on Friday night while surrounded by those he loved most, according to a statement from his family. Kempthorne was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 2025 and underwent chemotherapy.
“Our family is heartbroken, but we are also deeply grateful — for the time we had with him and for the extraordinary outpouring of love and support we have received from across Idaho and the country,” the family said.
The statement added: “We kindly ask for privacy as we grieve and celebrate his life together. Please know how much your prayers, messages, and memories mean to us. Additional details will be shared in the coming days.”
When he announced his diagnosis last year, Kempthorne urged people to seek screening. “Let me use this situation to urge everyone to be current in their testing and remain vigilant on updates,” he said.
Kempthorne’s career in politics began in the early 1980s, which led to his election as Mayor of Boise in 1985. He later served as U.S. Senator from 1993 to 1999, Governor of Idaho from 1999 to 2006, and Secretary of the Interior from 2006 to 2009.
Bush said he and his wife Laura were saddened by the loss of Kempthorne.
“Dirk was one of the finest public servants I ever knew because he was one of the finest men. He was considerate, smart, and capable,” Bush said. “Dirk loved our lands and waters, and as Secretary of the Interior, he was an effective steward of our natural resources.”
Responding to the news, Idaho Governor Brad Little ordered the lowering of the U.S. and Idaho flags to half-staff.
“Teresa and I are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend, Governor Dirk Kempthorne. Our friendship goes back to our college days, where Dirk and I shared the same state government class – an experience that helped set the course for a lifetime of public service for him,” Little said in a statement.
Little added: “Dirk’s career was marked by extraordinary service at every level. His early work as an industry advocate and campaign manager for Phil Batt led to his leadership as a successful Boise mayor who helped change the trajectory of our capital city. During his distinguished tenure in the U.S. Senate, Dirk served Idaho with vision, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to doing what was right.”
He continued: “As Governor, Dirk left an enduring mark on our state. With Patricia’s steadfast partnership, he championed children and families, strengthened public education, and led transformational investments in our transportation system that will benefit Idahoans for generations. He elevated Idaho’s voice on the national stage as chairman of the National Governors Association.”
“We were all proud when President Bush selected Dirk to serve as Secretary of the Interior. In that role, he never lost sight of Idaho or the West. He understood the value of our lands and worked tirelessly to steward them with care and respect.”
After leaving office, Dirk remained an advocate for the military and veterans and championed the USS Idaho submarine. “It is especially heartbreaking that he was not able to attend its commissioning this weekend — a moment he worked so hard to make possible,” Little said.
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