Robert John Insinger

1947 - 2024

Robert John Insinger

March 1, 1947 - September 14, 2024

Boise, Idaho - John Insinger passed away peacefully on September 14 at his home in Ketchum.

Born in La Jolla, CA on March 1, 1947, John enjoyed many adventures from a young age. At the age of 11, he sailed with his parents and siblings throughout the South Pacific Ocean for a year with stops in Tahiti, Samoa, Guadalcanal and many other still-primitive islands. His love of sailing was born in those days. Rounding out his young years, he lived the typical California lifestyle surfing in the summers when he wasn't working on one of his father's commercial fishing vessels. He graduated from La Jolla High School, class of 1965.

John's parents, Bob and Betty Insinger, began bringing their family to Sun Valley to ski in 1963, and that was all it took to fall in love with Idaho. John helped build the family vacation home in North Fork, north of Ketchum in the late 1960's and was a Sun Valley ski instructor under Sigi and Sepp in his early 20's, until he met his wife of 55 years, Susan Clarke. Once "settled down", John and Susan finished their college degrees at University of Colorado. John then earned his law degree at the University of Idaho.

John had a fulfilling 40-year legal career in Boise starting as an Ada County deputy prosector. From there, he joined the lawfirm of Risch, Goss, and Insinger and went on to be a successful and well-respected attorney. John served many years as a member, then Chairman, of the Idaho State Bar Professional Conduct Board. He also served as President of the Idaho Fourth District Bar Association and served on the Idaho Housing and Finance Association's Board of Commissioners.

However, he always made time for Idaho adventures including fishing, hiking, skiing and racing Hobie Cats on the lakes of Idaho. In 1974, the extended Insinger family moved their summer vacationing north to the Boulder Creek Ranch on the east fork of the Salmon River. Fortunately, John was an avid aviator and enjoyed flying family and friends in to "the Ranch", often buzzing the dirt landing strip to clear the cows before landing. When they weren't sailing, John and Susan and their children spent many, many weekends at the Ranch with grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

John also enjoyed dirt bike adventures throughout Idaho, Montana, and Utah with his great group of riding buddies including Dick Metz, Ted King, and his brother Rob. He loved beautiful and fast cars as well and shared this interest with his friend of 40 years, Bill Landon. They spent many years attending Hot August Nights in Reno, with their wives.

John and Susan enjoyed many motor home trips, and many motor homes (!), with family and friends. They criss-crossed the United States and journeyed as far north as Haines, Alaska. They traveled internationally through the years, visiting many countries. Their last international trip included a long-planned visit to Omaha Beach in Normandy where John's father was deployed on D-Day in World War II.

All wonderful memories that keep John in our hearts.

Once retired, John joined his long-time law partner, Senator Jim Risch, as his Chief of Staff and enjoyed all the intrigue and camaraderie of part-time life in Washington DC. He enjoyed travel to Africa and the Middle East and meeting many world leaders as a representative of Senator Risch's office.

John was the oldest of 3 siblings who enjoyed a life long bond- the last 20 years living within blocks of each other in Ketchum, their families enjoying fun and adventure together year round.

John is survived by his wife, Susan, son Rob (Jackie) and daughter Tina (Jay); grandchildren Simon, Miles, Oliver, and Charlotte, who all loved their "Papa"; his sister Liz (Ted), brother Rob (Leslie) and their children and grandchildren.

He will be sorely missed.

We are forever grateful for the loving care John received from Hospice of the Wood River Valley, and his wonderful care-givers. And so grateful he could be here in Ketchum, surrounded by family and the constant stream of friends who came to say goodbye, including his dear friend from their University of Colorado days, Rob Cool. We all miss you John.

A Celebration of John's life will be held in Boise in the spring.

If you wish to make a donation in John's honor, please consider Hospice of the Wood River Valley, Tunnels to Towers (t2t.org) or a charity of your choice.