David Edward Klingler

David Edward Klingler, 77, of Rigby, Idaho, used up the last of his nine lives on Saturday, October 14, 2023. He went out the way we’d all like to: peacefully, quickly, and surrounded by family.

Throughout his life, Dave had his brushes with death and beat them all. From nearly blowing up his basement (and himself) as a kid, to being broadsided on his motorcycle in his 20s, to beating prostate cancer and leukemia later in life, he survived them all and rose to meet the next challenge.

Dave was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Martell and Genevie Klingler on September 4, 1946, and from that day on he was never one to sit still long. He lived a life of curiosity and discovery, never settling on one path, but to instead explore all that tickled his fancy.

In his youth, he drifted toward activities that lit a fire under his ass and put the wind in his hair. He loved building things (including bombs in his basement), riding motorcycles, skiing, hunting, and becoming a champion sharpshooter. He even threw a little watercolor painting in to balance it all out.

As he grew up and became a husband and father, by no means did he stop being curious. He felled trees, built cabins, traveled all over the world, mastered the Dutch oven, was an avid ham radio operator, and even nurtured a sourdough start like it was one of his children. He earned the honorary title of ‘Mr. Wizard’ with his family as he could be relied on to know everything about everything and could build or fix just about anything.

Dave attended Idaho Falls High where he met the love of his life, Claudia, his junior year, and they’ve been together for 61 years.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in photography from the prestigious Brookes Institute of Photography and used it to build a robust and successful career starting at the Post Register as a photographer and ending at the INL.

Not quite ready for retirement, he and Claudia took on a new challenge and leapt into small business ownership by opening an award-winning bed and breakfast, the Blue Heron Inn, running it for 13 years before truly deciding to retire and settle down.

He’s spent his retirement years traveling, finally relaxing with his wife in their dream home, playing cards with friends, perfecting his sourdough loaf, mastering sudoku, and teaching his grandkids to play chess.

Dave is survived by his loving wife, Claudia, his two kids, Amy and Ryan, their spouses John and Julie, two grandkids, Bennett and Cooper, and his brother and sister, Steve Klingler and Kathi Burggraf.

Dave will be missed but will live on through the stories and memories of those who loved him. A funeral wouldn’t be his style, so a celebration of life will be held at a later date. In the meantime, please raise a glass and give a toast to Dave and let him know you’re thinking about him.

Dad and Dave, we couldn’t have asked for a better man. Thank you for love, your smile, and partnership. Thank you for the jokes, the laughter, and the unlimited strong hugs. Thank you for being a beacon to model our lives and the lives of our children after. Rest easy. See you soon.