Wayne E. Blickenstaff

For centuries, valuable minerals have been mined from the mountains of Idaho. And yet, a more cherished treasure in the history of the Northwest is the life of Wayne Blickenstaff. On May 29, 1932, Wayne was born to Ray and Margaret Blickenstaff in Nampa, Idaho, and grew up with his brothers, Loren and Marvin. Together, they made the most of fishing and hunting in the natural beauty of the Western outdoors and shared the competition of collegiate athletics at McPherson College. Heading east to attend the University of Kansas City School of Dentistry, Blickenstaff graduated in 1958 and then completed a certificate in Graduate Orthodontics in 1960. After graduation it was an easy decision to return to the Northwest, where he actively practiced orthodontics in Boise, Idaho, until his retirement in 1992. During those three decades, he unselfishly served at intervals as an officer on the Board of Trustees for the Idaho State Dental Association and as President of the Idaho State Orthodontic Society. Although his professional career helped advance dental care in Idaho, his greater achievements were demonstrated in the life of his family. On June 6, 1954, he married Beverly Gertrude of McPherson, KS, and together they raised their three children, Kyle, Lesley and Ryan. Wayne and Beverly made it a priority to actively live their faith in God, prompting Wayne to serve as a deacon, and later an elder, at the Boise Church of Christ. In August, 2002, the Blickenstaffs moved to Searcy, AR, to share in the lives of their children and grandchildren living in Arkansas, Tennessee and Georgia. As part of their relocation to Searcy, they brought with them the hospitality that had characterized their home in Boise and their continuing service to Harding University as members of the President’s Development Council. Wayne is survived by his wife, Beverly, to whom he has been married 68 years, and by his children: Kyle (Kellee) Blickenstaff of Searcy, AR; Lesley (Dwight) Melson of Atlanta, GA; and Ryan (Beth) Blickenstaff of Nashville, TN. Grandchildren include Karli (Ben) Bradley; Kohl (Anna) Blickenstaff; Hayden (Jenny) Melson; Campbell Melson; Baylor (Katie) Blickenstaff; and Belle (Jon Aaron) Howell. Great grandchildren, who have blessed their grandparents, include Beau, Avery, Helen and Peter. Wayne Blickenstaff lived much of his life surrounded by the vistas of Idaho’s natural beauty, but more importantly, he lived with a clear view of God’s Kingdom that reaches beyond the boundaries of eternity. A visitation will be held at the College Church of Christ Fellowship Room on Sunday, February 26, 2023 from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. A memorial service will follow at the Cone Chapel on the Harding University Campus at 3:00 p.m. Interment will follow in the White County Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are entrusted to Powell Funeral Home of Searcy. www.powellfuneralhome.net.

Wayne E. Blickenstaff

May 29, 1932 - February 23, 2023