Frank Craig Hirschi, 70, passed away unexpectedly on September 11, 2018 in Montpelier, Idaho.
He was born February 23, 1948 in Logan, Utah to Frank W. and Carol (Price) Hirschi. He was the eldest of six children. His early childhood was spent in both Logan, Utah and Montpelier, Idaho, where he helped his father run the family farm. He participated in sports as a young man, excelling in baseball and football.
Craig graduated from Montpelier High School in 1966 and attended Rick's College and Utah State University earning credits towards his Bachelor of Universal Studies degree, which he received from Idaho State University in 1977. He served in the Idaho Army National Guard as a field radio mechanic from 1971 to 1977.
He began his 35-year career at J.R. Simplot (Don Plant) in Pocatello in 1972. Craig started out in the maintenance division but by 1978 had moved up to the Plant Manager's staff level and had the opportunity to manage the maintenance, production, engineering and human resource departments before retiring in 2007.
On August 26, 1978, he married Elaine Jones. Together they raised three daughters, Lisa, Kristen and Jennifer and became grandparents to six grandchildren. Craig and Elaine recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.
Craig joined the ISU Bengal Foundation in 1981 and served on the Board of Directors for many years. Being an avid downhill skier, he was also a long-time member of the Pocatello Ski Association, and he shared his passion for the sport with the whole family. He enjoyed many hunting and fishing trips with his dad, his Uncle Mel and his sons-in-law. Craig took great pride in his boat and spent summer vacations water-skiing on his native Bear Lake. He enjoyed spending time with family at sporting events, on cruise ships and in the backyard.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine, daughters Lisa (Jason) Qualls of Chubbuck, Kristen (Timothy) Thorpe of Blackfoot and Jennifer (Martin) Sanders of Pocatello, grandchildren KC and Kolton Qualls; Rylan, Makenzie and Zakary Thorpe; and Hadlee Sanders; mother, Carol Hirschi, of Pleasant Grove, Utah, siblings David (Pamela) Hirschi, Carol Lyn (Steve) Pilkington, Scott (Dawna) Hirschi, Laura (Randy) Hayes, and Janet (Daniel) Paxman; Richard Jones, brother-in-law; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Frank W. Hirschi, and father- and mother-in-law, Louis and Pauline Jones.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 West Chubbuck Road, with a gathering one hour prior to the service. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.wilksfuneralhome.com