Ray Thorpe

1942 - 2023

Ray Thorpe

April 28, 1942 - September 7, 2023

Boise, Idaho - Ray Merrill Thorpe was born in Salina, Utah on April 28, 1942 to Rae L Thorpe and Ortencia Merrill Thorpe. He grew up in Inglewood, CA and graduated from Pasadena High School. Ray attended Stanford University (class of '64) then moved to New York City, where he met his first wife, Bonnie. After receiving his medical degree from Cornell University, Ray served as a U.S. Navy flight surgeon. While he was stationed on Guam, his first two children, Elyse and Kiki, were born. Ray finished his residency at the University of Utah then joined the Wausau Medical Center in Wisconsin. Ray's love of the outdoors led him to Idaho, where he joined the Boise Radiology Group in 1979. His third child, Nick, was born in Boise the same year. After his first marriage ended, Ray met Bobbi Ann Toms, who became his second wife and partner of 28 years. He shared adventures with her around the world and within Idaho throughout his retirement.

Ray was a skilled fly fisherman and spent many happy days fishing the streams of Silver Creek, Duck Valley, and West Yellowstone. He was also a hunter and a diver; he enjoyed watching wildlife in every habitat, whether spotting elk in the mountains or hummingbirds and wild ducks in his own backyard. Ray was fond of good jokes (and bad ones), feeding treats to their dog, Stanley, and sharing a good meal and a glass of red wine with family and friends. He is remembered for his quick wit, his generosity, his love of nature, and his wise sayings, including "It'll feel better when it stops hurting."

Ray is survived by his wife, Bobbi Ann; his children, Elyse, Kiki, and Nick; his grandchildren, Axel, Udo, Freddie, and Roxie; and his brother, Peter.