Donors
Mary Abercrombie, Nathan Alexander, Robert Angell, Applera Corporation,
Michael Ballantyne, Thomas Beck, Lee Bondurant, Rose Bowman, Laurie Braun,
Betsy Brooks, Ellen Brumback, William Clark, Jean Clohessy, Michael Coughlin,
John Dahl, F. J. Dega, John Dunn, Tom Dunstan, Joanna Engle, Marsha Enright,
Joyce Fetrow, Robert Fulwyler, Jeanette Germain, Marilyn Goltry, Ronald Graves,
Steve Gray, Phil Gregware, Terry Gustavel, Harold Hatten, Alice Hennessey,
Tim Hogland, Ken Hollenbaugh, William Houston, Richard Howard, Patrick
Hynes, Jan Kelley, Diane Knipe, Belinda Knochel, Karl Kurtz, Robert Lambert,
Rebecca Langhus, Mary Leonard, Errol Maus, Kevin McGowan, Mark Meier,
Judson Montgomery, Robert Montgomery, Robert Morrell, Joanne Morris, Fred
Meyers, Billy New, Tom Nicholson, Monte Ogle, Ronald O’Reilly, Avery Pratt,
Sandra Radwin, Gerald Ramsey, Carrie Rorem, Richard Sebastian, Bill Slattery,
Jane Smith, Kathryn Smith, Ellen SooHoo, Dixie Stingley, Loy Swinehart, Peter
Thompson, Fred Turner, Richard Vetter, Jack Voight, Jay Webb, Steve Young
Todd Montgomery
(1963-2008)
Idaho-based climber, best known for his huge
dynos, impossible slabs, brutal mantels, and
wicked wit, has moved on. Todd Montgomery
died of natural causes on March 26, 2008, in
Joshua Tree. He left from a place he loved the
most. Todd’s list of rsts in the City of Rocks,
Yosemite, Eldorado, and the Boise area (where
he grew up) will forever immortalize his efforts.
Those knew him look forward to the huge
doubles, and shoulder-wrecking mantels we’re
sure he’s already working on. —Tedd Thompson
Published in the Idaho Statesman on 4/6/2008.
Todd Newell Montgomery was born July 2,
1963 in Washington, D.C. the second of three
sons of Dr. Robert and Nancy Montgomery.
He graduated from Borah High School and
pursued a degree in Political Science at Univ.
of Colorado, where he graduated in 1987. Todd
loved the mountains and the Idaho outdoors
more than anything else. He remains the
youngest falconer ever in the state, working
with protectors of birds of prey in Idaho. He
found his career in the Idaho Department of
Environmental Quality, where he worked for
many years.
The people who knew him best appreciated
him as a man of immense talent, incisive wit
and a gentle soul who helped many through
troubled times. Todd had a deep compassion
for birds and all animals and he loved working
with plants and owers. His rst love however
was climbing, and it made him happier
than anything else in this world. He climbed
extensively in the United States, but his heart
was in the City of Rocks and Joshua Tree.
He is survived by his parents, Dr. Robert and
Nancy Montgomery; brothers Bruce and Judd
and their families; his many devoted friends;
and his dog, Mina — all of whom will miss him
dearly. “Best of all he loved the fall, the leaves
yellow on cottonwoods, hawks oating on the
murmuring winds, and above the hills, the high
and quiet stone. Now he will be a part of them
forever.” Todd died of natural causes in Joshua
Tree, California on March 26, 2008.
In celebration of his life and in lieu of owers,
memorials may be made to the Peregrine Fund,
5668 West Flying Hawk Lane, Boise, Idaho
83709
Todd with Toby (Red-tailed Hawk) at Stanley, Idaho 1975
Todd with Red-tailed Hawk 1977
Idaho Statesman photo by Henry Gabel, Jan. 9, 1976
Todd became interested in falconry at the age of seven after hearing a story read by his
second grade teacher about birds of prey.
He built a mews in the back yard and worked with pigeons until they made him sick.
At this time he met and worked with Dr. Tom Dunstan who was studying birds of prey
in Boise. He rappelled Todd into eagle and Prairie Falcon nests in the Snake River
Canyon as part of Todd’s project.
At the age of twelve, Todd took his falconry test and became the youngest falconer in
the state of Idaho.
Todd, with license in hand, was aided in securing a Red-tailed Hawk by Dr. Rick
Williams of Boise. He was subsequently mentored by Rich Howard, also of Boise.
Todd flew his birds in the Sawtooth country and the desert as time went on.
He was single-minded in remaining involved with falconry rather than school
activities. There were times when he slept in the mews as he thought the occasion
demanded. This young boy learned lessons of life from his birds.
“When we show our respect for other living things, they respond with respect for us.”
— Arapaho proverb