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Dr. Robert Borgholthaus, 78
Dr. Robert H. Borgholthaus, 78, of Mountain Home, died Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007, at a Boise hospital.
Services were held Friday, Aug.17, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Mountain Home. Burial followed at Mountain View Cemetery in Mountain Home. Arrangements were under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel in Mountain Home.
Robert "Bob" Homer Borgholthaus was born to Homer and Loretta Walker Borgholthaus on May 23, 1929, in Burns, Ore.
The family later moved to Payette where Bob graduated from Payette High School. His mother died in 1941 and his father in 1971.
After high school he attended Brigham Young University but was drafted into the Army during the Korean War, serving his term of duty in Germany.
After leaving the service he enrolled in Pacific University School of Optometry, graduating in 1958. He practiced optometry with Dr. Gavin in Boise for a year, and then purchased the practice of Dr. Ernie Siefarth in Mountain Home.
In 2000, he retired and sold his practice to Dr. Nathan Price. His goal when he began practicing was to be licensed for 50 years, and he met that goal, his family noted.
"Professionally," his family said, "Dr. Borgholthaus worked hard to bring the latest knowledge of his field to his patients. When the opportunity to qualify to use therapeutic and diagnostic drugs came to Idaho, he was one of the first to take advantage of this opportunity. He was a pioneer in the practice of orthokeratology, the use of rigid lenses to reduce near-sightedness.
"His talents and skills extended to many other areas. He was an expert fixer upper and tackled any project large or small including remodeling their family home many times. He was an avid music lover and greatly enjoyed the musical accomplishments of his family."
Throughout his life he served others. Among his accomplishments, he was President for Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce, President of the Idaho Optometric Association, a member of the State Board of Optometry Examiners, a Scout Master, and a Bishop, High Counselor, a member of the Stake Presidency and Stake Patriarch.
In 1960, Bob married Page Ann Harvey. They were married 47 years and lived in Mountain Home the entire time. Their three children were all born in Mountain Home. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple. In 2000, they served a humanitarian mission in the Atlanta, Ga., Employment Resource Center.
Bob is survived by: his wife, Page, of Mountain Home; his son, David, and his wife, Jana (Wells) of Mountain Home; his son, Dan, and his wife, Kellie (Larsen), of Mountain Home; his daughter, Lora, and her husband, John Kelly, of Kaysville, Utah; his brother, Don, and his wife, Eunice Borgholthaus, of Boise; his brother, Dr. Ab, and his wife, Kathy Borgholthaus, of Payette; nine grandchildren and five step grandchildren.
His sister, Hellen, preceded him in death.