Rocky Burkhalter

Rocky Clair Burkhalter, age 70, passed away on March 30, 2022, at his home in Buhl, Idaho, with his daughter and son at his side.

Rocky, the eldest of five children, was born on October 2, 1951, in Twin Falls, Idaho, to parents Rene and Louise Burkhalter. Rocky was baptized, confirmed, and attended Clover Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a student at Clover Trinity Lutheran School and graduated from Castleford High School in 1969. Rocky then attended and graduated from Boise College with a degree in auto mechanics. He was employed as a mechanic his entire lifetime.

In 1971 he met Ruth Simmons and they married in 1972. To this marriage, two children were born: daughter, Sandy and son, Clay. Rocky and Ruth later divorced.

Rocky was an avid outdoorsman whose passions included off road motorcycle riding, hunting, fishing, camping, and many shooting sports. He shared his love and knowledge of riding in the mountains with anyone who would join him. By 2006, that would include his beloved grandsons, Brandon and Benjamin.

Rocky’s sense of adventure was no more apparent than when he was spending time with his grandsons. He was game for any adventure they wanted to go on. When they would ask him to join in, he never said no. Whether it be doing Rocky’s favorite things like riding motorcycles with Brandon or listening to Benjamin play the piano, watching Indiana Jones movies endlessly, learning to play video games, drawing, painting, and coloring, or any other shenanigans the boys could find, Rocky was always willing to spend that time with them.

Rocky was preceded in death by his grandparents, Fredrick and Lucie Burkhalter, and Earben and Doris Uptain; nephew, Christopher McCarrel; granddaughter, Megan Burkhalter; and several aunts and uncles.

Rocky is survived by his daughter, Sandy Burkhalter of Buhl, Idaho; son, Clay (Kim) Burkhalter of Filer, Idaho; grandsons, Brandon and Benjamin Burkhalter of Filer, Idaho; parents, Rene and Louise Burkhalter of Castleford, Idaho; siblings, Belle (Stan) Miller of Meridian, Idaho; Jeff Burkhalter of Castleford, Idaho; Christy (Lou Ann) Burkhalter of Castleford, Idaho; Becky (Lon) Montgomery of Shoshone, Idaho; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and great nieces and nephews.

A memorial will be held on 1:00 p.m. Thursday, April 7, 2022, at Clover Trinity Lutheran Church, 3552 North 1825 East Buhl, Idaho, with a luncheon to follow.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Rocky's memorial webpage at www.farmerfuneralchapel.com.