Dennis Robert Pettygrove

1951 - 2021

Dennis Robert Pettygrove

December 8, 1951 - July 21, 2021

Dennis Robert Pettygrove, age 69, of Hansen, Idaho

Dennis was born December 8, 1951 in Twin Falls, Idaho to Robert "Bob" Pettygrove and Olive "Tiny" Pettygrove. He grew up on the Pettygrove farm 1 mile south of Hansen. He received his grades 1-12 education at Hansen, graduating as salutatorian of his class in 1970. He went on to the University of Idaho, completing a BS degree in Chemistry in 1974, followed by a Master's degree. He became an instructor at the College of Southern Idaho in 1978 and taught there until retiring in 2007.

Dennis was an outdoorsman like his dad. He grew up hunting, fishing, and skiing. In addition Dennis loved to white water raft Idaho's wild rivers. He was skilled in each. He continued to hunt deer with his cousin Nate Smith; skied Sun Valley with Deon and family, and skied Soldier with friend Dave Callen; floated the Salmon River with the Shewmaker family all in 2020-2021.

Church was always a part of Dennis' life. Growing up in Hansen Methodist church, then later attending Kimberly Methodist Church. It was here during a weekend event in 1969 that he and many youth group members accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. During the college years he would transport a car (65 Buick Electra) full of students to church across town in Moscow, ID. More recently he assisted in leadership at Crossroads Methodist Church leading Bible studies, acting in skits, and serving as a mentor to the children. He also chaired the church council.

He was active in Boy Scouts as a youth and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He served in Troop leadership role as an adult.

His passion for river rafting was shared with others and eventually they started a business. Dennis became proprietor of River Adventure Toys in Twin Falls and carried on the business for 26 years, selling the business in 2020.

Dennis was a wealth of knowledge about everything. He was well known for his wild flower tours at Magic Mountain. He was passionate about nature and shared knowledge of wild plant life; what was edible and nonedible. He served as the contact person with the US Forest Service for the Nordic skiers and cleared the trails weekly as part of the High Desert Nordic Association. Dennis was key in coordinating efforts assisting Fish and Game in opening the mountain for others to enjoy. He will be greatly mourned and missed. Wherever he volunteered people greatly appreciated his disposition, knowledge, and enthusiasm.

With farming in his roots he purchased 58 acres and a residence of Pettygrove land in the 1980s. Although never a full time farmer he was an actively involved farm manager/ landlord of his acreage and his parent's acreage. For the past several years he has been his mother's caregiver, enabling her at 92 years of age to live at home.

Dennis never married. He is preceded in death by his father, Robert Pettygrove and a nephew Rion Robert Herndon. He is survived by his mother Olive Pettygrove of Hansen, sister Deon (Rick) Herndon of Sunnyside, WA , two nieces, Cassie Kulp of Snoqualmie, WA and Katherine Herndon of Seattle, WA.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by White-Reynolds Funeral Chapel in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Memorial service is set for Saturday July 31 at 11am followed by a luncheon at Crossroads Methodist church in Kimberly. Donations in honor of Dennis may be made to Crossroad Methodist Church, PO Box 326, Kimberly, Idaho; High Desert Nordic Association, PO Box 2539, Twin Falls, ID 83303; or the charity of your choice.