John Wallace Casper

John Wallace Casper, 88 of Idaho Falls passed away Friday, July 18, 2014 at Good Samaritan Care Center in Idaho Falls. He was born May 14, 1926 in Rigby to Clyde Wallace Casper and Ethel Mary Walker Casper. He was raised and attended schools in Rigby, graduating from Rigby High School. He enlisted in the US Navy and served for 2 years in the Medical Corps in San Francisco, California; he was honorably discharged in August, 1946. On July 31, 1948 he married Edythe Bright in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple; they were blessed with 2 daughters and 4 sons. He continued his education at BYU and graduated in 1950. He worked as a chemist for American Cyanamid Company for 3 years before enrolling at Cornell University Medical College in New York City; he graduated with his Medical Degree in 1957. He then joined the public health service and served his internship on Staten Island. He was the Medical Officer in charge of Fort Totten Indian Health Clinic in Fort Totten, North Dakota. In 1959 he was Bonneville County Physician and Public Health Director until 1965. He completed his Residency in Psychiatry from University of Utah in 1968; he then worked as a psychiatrist from Jan 1969 to June 2000. John was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed traveling, hunting, camping, and mountain climbing. He is survived by his wife, Edythe B. Casper, of Idaho Falls, daughters, Camille Blackburn of Ammon, Ruth (Kaycee) Byron of Idaho Falls, sons; John Bright (Susan) Casper, of Boise, Kurt Walker (Lisa M.) Casper, of Peoria, Arizona, Thel Wallace (Lisa E.) Casper, of Idaho Falls, 16 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and other family members Carol H. Casper, Duane Balckburn, Rebecca N. Casper, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, son, William Lloyd Casper, sister, Elaine Coy, brothers, William Lloyd Casper, Leon B Casper, and a great-granddaughter, Cordelia Ruth Casper. John’s greatest concern was the welfare of others; in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made at the Idaho Falls Community Food Bank, 245 N. Placer Ave, Idaho Falls, ID 83402. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 26, at The Mountain View Ward LDS Chapel, 1459 Mountain View Ln, Idaho Falls. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 pm Friday at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 W. Main Street, Rigby and from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery.