Milton Eugene Erhart
Milton Eugene Erhart
Milton Eugene Erhart was born June 1, 1940 in Kansas City, Kansas to Clifford and Doris Erhart. He passed away on October 24, 2015.
Growing up on the family farm, he and his three brothers learned many hard-working skills, but they had fun, too. Although many parents told their children how hard life was back in the old-days, walking to school in snow and such, Dad made his children jealous by telling them how he got to ride his horse, Silver, to the one-room schoolhouse. The fact that Silver bucked Dad’s girlfriend off, breaking her nose, only made the story better.
Dad attended Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska receiving degrees in religion and history. He furthered his studies, attending seminary at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. He and his wife, Mary Carolyn, then served many years together in the ministry, first pastoring churches in the Dakotas, where all three of their children were born. Later, he ministered in Maryland and Illinois. While in Illinois, he gave his family a taste of his farm roots by moving them to a beautiful 4-acre hilltop home, where the family had a pony, a barn, a sizeable garden, and some uninvited raccoons. Around this time, Dad received his pilot’s license, which he used to fly the family all over the country, turning cornfields into landing strips when visiting the family farm in Kansas.
In 1978, the family moved to Idaho, where they had many adventures exploring the mountains, rivers, lakes, and other wonders of this beautiful state. The adventures often began with Dad looking at a map to see which areas the family hadn’t been to yet. This was how one July the International Scout got high-centered in a patch of snow on the “road” to the little town of Atlanta, Idaho. The family had fun playing in the more traditional winter snow too, with Dad tying an innertube to the back of the pickup and pulling the neighborhood children over the snow-covered streets.
Dad had many business ventures over the years. After leaving the ministry, he sold insurance, worked in investments, and developed real estate. He was an encourager of people, always seeing the best in them. He had a can-do attitude, always seeking to solve problems rather than dwell on them. He enjoyed politics, both discussing them and participating in them. He was State Representative for District 14 during the 1995-96 session. Always trying to make a bigger difference, he set his sights on the governorship. In 2002, he received approximately 30% of the vote for the Republican Primary. Not a bad showing for a non-professional politician.
Some of Dad’s greatest joys came from spending time with his eight grandchildren. It was traditional to wrestle with Grandpa whenever he came to visit, which was often. He always came to any sports or other activities that the grandchildren were involved in. He often took his grandchildren to see the rodeo and BSU basketball and football games. His final evening was spent with three of his grandchildren, watching his beloved Kansas City Royals win the American League Championship.
Dad spent the last few years of his life writing his life story. To read more about his life philosophy and enjoy more memories of his well-lived life, see: erhart.net/docs/MiltErhartAutoBiography.pdf
Besides his many friends, Milt leaves behind: brother Wayne (Rina) of Derwood, MD; brother Lee of Kansas City, MO; brother Stan of San Francisco, CA; son Gene (Anita) of Eagle, ID; son Bruce (Veronica) of Shoreline, WA; daughter Renee (John Karel) of Eagle, ID. He also leaves behind his eight grandchildren: Christine, Mackenzie, Michael, Wolfie, Otto, James, Krista & Josh. We will miss his youthful spirit, but we will carry his love and encouragement in our hearts.
A funeral service will be held at Cloverdale Seventh-day Adventist Church, 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 30. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 p.m., at Dry Creek Cemetery. The family will welcome visitors on Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel, 5400 Fairview Ave., Boise.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Milton Eugene Erhart, please visit our flower store.
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