Allan Robert Bringhurst

Allan Robert Bringhurst of Idaho Falls returned to his Heavenly Father on September 2, 2024. He was surrounded by his wife and family and passed peacefully after a prolonged struggle with Alzheimer’s.

Allan was born on April 30, 1943, in Payson, Utah, to Robert R. and Helen Tipton Bringhurst. He grew up in Springville, Utah, and had a childhood full of strong family connections. He was the oldest of six children. He often shared very fond memories of hunting trips with cousins and beloved uncles. He graduated from Springville High School in 1961.

After high school, Allan joined the Army National Guard where he had the unique experience of serving alongside his father in the 116th Engineering Battalion as the first father and son soldiers in the same unit in the state of Utah. He later served in the 248th Engineering Battalion in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He remained in service to his country for 26 years.

Allan’s educational pursuits began at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, and continued throughout his life. He was a lifelong learner, a gifted writer, and an avid reader. He eventually earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Idaho State University.

Allan was a faithful and active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all his life. His testimony never wavered and his love of missionary work was a hallmark of his life. He was called to serve his first of four missions in 1962. He served the people of Appalachia in the East Central States Mission, which at the time covered parts of Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia.

In 1969, Allan met and married his eternal companion, Diane Johnson, of Spanish Fork, Utah. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Manti, Utah Temple on September 19, 1969. They were married for nearly 55 years and had five children, 28 grandchildren and grandchildren-in-law, and 12 great grandchildren.

Allan and Diane made their first home in Springville, Utah, where their first three children were born. In 1977, they moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho, where two more children were born and Allan began his career at Idaho National Engineering Laboratories.

He worked at the INEL for 30 years and retired from the Spent Nuclear Fuel program in 2006. He was an exceptionally bright man and worked diligently to be an asset to his profession and a mentor to those he worked with. Allan was also an instrumental partner in Diane’s wedding business that they owned and operated for many years.

He was a skilled builder and had a love of art and music that would surprise many. He had a deep appreciation for Architecture and moonlighted as a draftsman for many years to provide supplemental income for his family.

Upon retirement, Allan and Diane served two missions to the Philippines where they quickly fell in love with the people and culture. They first served in the Philippines San Pablo Mission where Allan served as first counselor in the mission presidency. They later returned to serve in the Philippines Cebu Temple Mission. They served again in the Addiction Recovery Program Mission in Southeastern Idaho after returning from the Philippines.

Allan was an avid, lifelong outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, particularly “critter hunting” trap shooting, and especially fishing. Many hours were spent tying flies that were more of a work of art and reloading shotgun shells. He enjoyed teaching his kids and grandkids to fish and camp. He was a skilled gunsmith and spent many hours working on firearms of all makes and history. He had a passion for aviation and spent many hours building RC Airplanes, flying them, crashing them, and rebuilding them.

One of the defining characteristics of Allan’s life was his dedication to his family, his country, and his faith. He served them all to the best of his ability, and even when his mind and body would have preferred that he rest, he continued to want to help others in any capacity that he could.

He will be remembered as an extremely intelligent, witty, sometimes grumpy, compassionate and faithful man. He served his family and his Savior all his life, and his time to rest has been well earned. His family loves him and sends him to his Heavenly Father with pride for the man that he was and will be for Eternity.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Bryan Hammar, Dr. Chance Christensen, and the nursing staff with Solace Hospice for the compassion and care they treated Allan with throughout his illness and final moments.

Allan is survived by his wife of over five decades, Diane J. Bringhurst; four of his five children, Stacy Lynn (Sonny) Burgie of Rigby, Idaho, Alex John Bringhurst (Corrie Holmes) of Pocatello, Idaho, Mindy Kay (Robert) Markley of Littleton, Colorado, Kimberly Ann (The late Jeffrey) Felde of Pocatello, Idaho; his brother, Bill (Janeil) Bringhurst of Utah; sisters, Chris (Larry) Schaugaard of Provo Utah, Kathy (Ron) Ostler of Salem, Utah, and Lisa (Mike) Kramer of Gold Canyon, Arizona; his grandchildren, Chelsie (Marc) Wichmann of Iona, Idaho, Whitney (Brody) Gilstrap of Rigby, Idaho, Jayden (Kenna) Burgie of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Sydney (Sloan) Schmitt of Rigby, Idaho, Austin (Shahinie) Bringhurst of Groton, Connecticut, Brendon Bringhurst of Buffalo, New York, Pierce Bringhurst of Buffalo, New York, Spencer Bringhurst of Pocatello, Idaho, Drew Bringhurst of Pocatello, Idaho, Ella Bringhurst of Pocatello, Idaho, Ollie Smith of Pocatello, Idaho, Aaron (Ali Gurule) of Englewood, Colorado, Zachary (Talyn) Salomon of Rexburg, Idaho, Carli Salomon of Littleton, Colorado, Calvin Markley of Littleton, Colorado, Kobe (Cheyanne) Felde of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Cooper Felde of Pocatello, Idaho, Carter (Koko) Felde of Pocatello, Idaho, and Chloe Felde of Pocatello, Idaho; and 12 great grandchildren whom he adored.

Allan was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Ralston and Helen Tipton Bringhurst; his in-laws, Leonard Dean and Dorothy Johnson; his brother, Layne Bringhurst; his beautiful son, Scott Allan Bringhurst; and a beloved son in law, Jeffrey James Felde.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at the Idaho Falls Kearney Ward, 1860 Kearney. The family will visit with friends Monday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road, and Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Ucon Cemetery where Military Honors will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and Idaho Honor Guard.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.