Edwin A. Engert

Edwin A. Engert, 89, long time resident of Nampa, passed away on December 1, 2017. 

Ed was born on March 17th 1928, the fourth child of Alfred and Mamie Engert in Bonner's Ferry, Idaho.  Alfred was a self-employed carpenter and Mamie managed the home. Ed was a very self-reliant young man, as his closest sibling (August, Herbert (Pink), Millie) was 10 years older than him.  He spent his childhood years exploring the river and the woods of Bonner's Ferry with his dogs. Ed spent his high school summers working for the Forest Service clearing trails, roads, and fighting fires when needed. This experience instilled the love of hiking and the outdoors into his life and that of his family. Ed graduated from Bonner's Ferry High School in 1946.

That summer Ed enlisted in the US Army, with the intent of using the G. I. Bill to attend college when his enlistment time was complete. He attended basic training at Fort Lewis Washington, followed by shipping out to Korea (that meant 2 weeks on the water).  Ed served as part of the 7th Division Military Police, providing security for the US Army Headquarters in Seoul, South Korea.

When he returned from the Army the spring of 1948, he went to work as a jack-hammer operator building the Moyie Dam near Bonner's Ferry. Also during the summer of 1948, Ed got his private pilot's license and bought a plane with his brother Pink.  That fall he headed to the University of Idaho, in Moscow to work on his Bachelor's Degree in Business. Ed then joined the Delta Chi Fraternity, and enjoyed the brothers he met there.   

In 1950 Ed sold his plane, in order to buy a car to drive his girlfriend Isobel to school in Spokane, WA, on his way to Moscow at the end of the summer. Isobel Hyland was the younger sister of one of his childhood friends, Whitey. Following U of I Graduation in the spring of 1952, Ed and Isobel were married on June 22st. They honeymooned in Banff and Lake Louise, Canada.  In 2002, Ed and Isobel celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in the same Banff location with their three daughters and spouses.

Ed spent his business career working in the retail industry.  Upon graduation he went to work for Ben Franklin Stores in Moscow.  In 1957 the family moved to Southern Idaho, where Ed joined the King's Variety Store chain. The family moved to Jerome for a short time, then on to Rupert where Ed was the Store manager. In 1969 they again moved to Logan, Utah, where Ed managed a new larger King’s store and supervised 4 smaller stores. In 1979, Ed and Isobel moved back to Caldwell, Idaho. Again, to manage the main King's store in Caldwell while supervising several other Boise Valley stores. When Ed retired in 1989, the Caldwell store was the top store in the King's Company. Many of his employees over the years considered him to be the best boss they ever had.

Retirement allowed Ed to enjoy the outdoors even more, hiking, golfing, fishing, especially the Sawtooth Mtns of South Central Idaho. Ed instilled in his 3 daughters this love of the outdoors in their many skiing, backpacking, and cabin trips. Many family memories were made at King's cabin in the Sawtooth’s or the Alibi at Terrace Lakes near Garden Valley. Ed and Isobel enjoyed 15 winters at Sun Life Resort in Mesa, AZ.  Lots of hiking, golfing and traveling with their Arizona community. Don't forget the dancing, Ed and Isobel could really “cut the rug”; there was dancing every Thursday in Arizona.  They stayed connected to their roots in Bonner's Ferry by making the trek every year to the All Class Reunion to see their childhood friends. Ed was a member of the “Over the Hill Golf Group” for over 20 years, golfing at a different Treasure Valley course every Wednesday. Ed was very involved in Faith Lutheran Church of Caldwell both through charities and activities, as well as singing in the church choir.

Ed's family and friends will miss his honest concern and kindness for others, eternal optimism, integrity and willingness to visit and listen to all.   We all knew he was the rock, whether supporting his wife, his girls or his fishing, golfing or hiking buddies. Love ya, Grandpa Ed.

Ed is survived by his wife of 65 years, Isobel and 3 daughters, Christi (Dave) Lindsey, Dalene (Stan) Feero, and Jan (Henry, recently deceased) Engert-Gholz, 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

The Family wishes to Thank Tiffany, Tami, Roger and Karen of Treasure Valley Hospice for their loving care over the last months.

Services will be held: Saturday December 9th 1:30 pm, at Faith Lutheran Church, 2915 Montana Ave, Caldwell, Id.  In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to:  Faith Lutheran Church   Attn: Luther Heights Bible Camp, 2915 Montana Ave, Caldwell ID, 83605.

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