Rex was born on March 26,1932 in Emmett Idaho. He was the last of the seven children born to William T. and Essie Borup. He was truly a “surprise baby” as the next youngest child, Keith was five years old when Rex arrived on the scene and Rex’s oldest sibling, William was already married and had a child. Rex had a happy childhood growing up in a house next to the Emmett city park. He tells stories about swimming in the Payette River. He learned to love camping, fishing, and hunting. In high school he played football and earned the nickname “Shy Rex”. After high school, he went to BYU with the initial intent to become a physical education teacher but was persuaded by his older sister Idella to change to pre-med. Thereafter he went on to the University of Utah Medical School. He said that in his medical school, his team named their cadaver “Ernest” so at lunch they could say the morning was spent “working in Ernest”! During a summer young adult outing at Black Canyon Reservoir he was taken aback when he saw his future wife Sharon “in this great red swimming suit”. When he recounted this experience, we reminded him that he is color blind and he replied “I wasn’t really looking at the swimming suit!” After a short courtship, they were married on December 7, 1956 in the Salt Lake temple. After he graduated from medical school, they moved to Ogden, Utah for a year long internship. While there, their first child, Pam, was born. They then moved to Boise where he started a family medicine practice. He and Sharon experienced a rapid flurry of child birthing, having David, Mark, Jeff and Brenda in the space of five years! Despite the work of a medical practice and raising this horde of children, he still found time to do woodworking projects, making animal figures and building a tree house. He also found time to take us all on family road trips. Among these were trips to Higby Cave, Boulder Lake, Redfish Lake, and other scenic Idaho locations. He taught us a love of backpacking and fishing and never missed a chance to get us out in nature. He also found time to engage and encourage us in our interests, whether it was music, chemistry, model rocketry, astronomy, tennis, auto mechanics, horses, motorcycles and any other activity we might take an interest in. He also stressed the importance of learning. We all have memories of Dad taking us into the living room for lessons about history, science, literature,etc. He had an insatiable curiosity for a wide variety of subjects and this lasted until his last days. Dad was also a great example of caring for his patients. He had a history of being the “cheapest” physician in the valley, always hesitant to raise his fees and quick to write off any bills that patients couldn’t make. He made house calls long after most physicians had abandoned the practice. We all remember going with him to see patients in the county jail and nursing homes, although we often had to wait long times in the car. Dad was a die hard liberal and always had a soft spot for the disadvantaged in society. He kept a picture of Ghandi in his office with the quote “Imperfect ourselves, we must be gentle towards others”. Besides being an amateur socialist, he was an environmentalist and taught us to appreciate and respect nature. He was open to new ideas as long as you could make a logical and reasoned argument. He had a great sense of humor and loved telling or listening to a good joke. He loved his grandchildren and took an active interest in their interests. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and remembered for all the good qualities he emulated. Rest in peace, Shy Rex!
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Cindy Dalby says
January 23, 2021 at 10:08 amI’m so very sorry for your loss. Dr. Borup was an associate of my childhood family physician, and I saw him occasionally as a chid. After trying to navigate through a large group practice for health care as a young mother, I found Dr. Borup again, and my family and I remained patients until his retirement. He delivered my third son. I always appreciated his calm, sensible approach to care. He’s always been the standard that I hold other health care providers to, and I’ve yet to find any that compare. Please accept my condolences.
Anthony Keys M.D. says
January 24, 2021 at 11:25 amI met Rex in 1979 as his office was right across the hall from my office on the third floor of the Anderson medical plaza. He would occassiionallyi assist me in my gynecologic surgery and was also my unofficial doctor. I would often go across the hall for advice regarding all aspects of life. It was immediately clear to me that Rex and I shared similar philosophies regarding politics, life, and the universe .
Of the several fishing trips that he took me on, one was to a small tributary of the Boise river, Sheeps creek. We were traversing back and forth across the ten foot river span heading upstream looking for the perfect fishing hole. Neither of us had a fishing pole. I was in the middle of the small stream and Rex was stepping on a large rock on the bank. I yelled “Rex there is a rattlesnake and pointed”. Rex then made a flying leap above and over the rattler on the other side of the rock. At his age of 55 he made at least an eight foot leap. The rattle snake scurried away.
On another excursion we were riding our mountain bikes down sidewinder on a single tract on a ledge. I was riding in front and had been talking when I heard an unusial sound. I stopped and turned around and there was no Rex. I retraced my path for thirty yards when I notice Rex and his bike about 10 yards doen the hill. He was pulling his bike back up the hill. No, no, I am just fine. “he said”.
I only hope that my professional life as a practicing obstetrician–gynecologist did one tenth the good that Rex did for his patients. He was an excellent physician.
Rex was a man for all seaasons. A renaissance man.
Rex, you will be truly missed, and I am sure that we will meet in another universe at some time in the distant future. Until then, Bon voyage Rex.
Amy Hall says
January 29, 2021 at 10:58 amI hate to hear of his passing, he actually delivered me In 1963, he was all of my families Doctor. He would make house calls. So sorry to the Family for the loss of their Father. Heaven gained a new Angel.
Rulon Pope says
January 24, 2021 at 2:56 pmI was so sad to hear about Uncle Rex’s passing. He was a wonderfully positive influence in our lives. He was always there for my mother as a physician and brother. It is hard to imagine a more caring person. I also had the wonderful opportunity to go on several hiking and fishing trips with Uncle Rex. They are wonderful memories. Best wishes to his family in this time of loss.
Nancy Halouska says
January 24, 2021 at 3:14 pmDr. Borup saved my breathing. Because of him I am not on oxygen!! I first went to him (on the recommendation of a good friend). First thing he did was send me to St. Luke’s for a pulmonary function test .Came back I had asthma and had probably had it most of my life. That was about 20 years ago and I feel I owe my life to the greatest and dearest doctor in Boise. Heaven just got the best doctor ever. My thoughts and prayers are with the family of this dear man. Rest in peace Dr. Rex Borup.
Tammy Anstee says
January 24, 2021 at 5:13 pmKeith Borup and all of his children send our condolences to your family on the loss of Uncle Rex. We all loved him, your mom, Sharon, and you Borup cousins. There must be a beautiful reunion in Heaven going on with his arrival. We wish all of you peace and comfort.
With Love,
Tammy (Borup) Anstee
Con Hobson says
January 24, 2021 at 9:30 pmDr. Borup took care of our family for many years. I remember going to his office as a young teenager on Overland Road. He attended to our parents in their last year‘s of life. Mother had great confidence and trust in Dr. Borup. She was an excellent judge of character. His selfless care of his patients was clearly evidenced so many times. He delivered one and cared for all our children until his retirement. We will always be grateful for his wonderful service to our family.
John Cooney says
January 25, 2021 at 5:26 pmMy family and I moved to a home on Grandee St. in Boise when I was 4yrs old. The Borup family moved into a home 4 doors down in the early 70’s. I have vivid memories of all the children Pam, David, Jeff, Mark and Brenda as they were growing up. I was the same age as David and was close to Mark as well. We attended Birthday parties and school together, rode bikes and played baseball in their yard, had snowball fights and built snow forts in the street, as well as exploring the canal behind their home. Dr. Borup and his wife were very loving parents and enjoyed supervising the construction as well as taking the children and myself to shoot off model rockets. I also remember the 4-10 rifle Dr. Borup had. He let the kids target shoot in the back yard as it was my first time shooting. As a child I was particularly impressed that Dr. Borup showed so much care and love in spending time with his children.
When Dr. Borup and his family moved to their home in the foothills, I was able to join them for family activities which I thoroughly enjoyed. Riding in the Bronco along the trails nearby was the highlight of my many visits. My only regret was that I lost contact with Dr. Borup and his family after I graduated from Capital High. I attended BSU and moved to California. I heard from friends that Mark was an Ophthalmologist in the Boise area. Having lost both my parents in the last 7yrs, I can only imagine the grief that the family and those who knew Dr. Borup are feeling. My hope and prayers are that Dr. Borup’s generosity and his love of life and nature will live on in his children and those who were blessed in knowing him.
Wes Laney Family says
January 25, 2021 at 9:00 pmIn High School, Rex Borup and Wes Laney were best friends. That friendship lasted a lifetime and Rex was also very good to the Laney family. Rex always had a great sense of humor and a huge heart. He truly cared about those he worked with. Our son Steven went on some backpacking trips with Rex and his boys and said that they had awesome adventures together. Rex will be greatly missed and we wish him and his family the very best!
Clayne Pope says
January 26, 2021 at 12:13 pmGrowing up, I idolized Uncle Rex. He was smart, kind, athletic and fun. I thought I should follow in his footsteps until I discovered that I hated the chemistry lab and was afraid of blood. I remember with great fondness discussing the state of society and philosophy with him. He was so kind and caring of everyone in our family. I did not get to go on as many outdoor adventures with him as Dal, my older brother, did, but I especially remember one evening when I was tagging along with Rex as he fished on Johnson Creek one evening. He hooked into a jack salmon and played that fish for a very long time. It was getting quite dark and I twondered how he was going to fish in total darkness. It was a memorable time. Rex was thoughtful, patient and kind even to his younger nephews. I hope that all of you in his family will be buoyed up by his goodness at this time of loss.
Clella B Stiles says
January 26, 2021 at 6:59 pmI loved my Uncle Rex. He had such a sly grin as he talked. He liked to listen more than he liked to talk.
His parents idolized him and I remember how excited they got when they knew he was coming over. I know that they are having a great reunion now. There were a lot of people I knew that had him as a Dr and they all spoke so highly of him. He was one of a kind.
John Falk says
January 26, 2021 at 10:22 pmI remember Dr. Borup from 60 years ago. He assisted the Alsager brothers, Mel and Ken, in coaching our Optimist Football team, Paul B. Larsen Realtors. He generally showed up to practice in a white dress shirt. I am sure he came directly from work, not even having the time to change clothes. I remember him as a very patient man and worked really well with the kids on the team. Rest in peace Dr. Borup.
Kelly says
January 29, 2021 at 5:22 pmDr. Borup delivered me ❤️ and according to the Facebook post shared by someone in my family, delivered at least 12 of us from the Hall family! The kind words are pouring in, saying Dr. Borup made frequent house calls, talked one cousin into going to nursing school and was the most kind and helpful doctor. I teared up hearing that the man who helped bring me into the world has now gone to Heaven. What a life and legacy. Thank you for sharing your dad, husband, and friend with my family. He meant a lot to all of us.
Kurt Manship says
February 4, 2022 at 12:19 pmI thought of Rex yesterday when I ran into a relative of his with the last name of Borup here in Brigham City, Utah. Upon googling “Rex Borup”, I was saddened to learn of his passing more than a year ago. He delivered me in 1959, and I remember him making house calls at our home with his medical bag when I was a young child. He and two of his sons joined me, my dad, and my brothers on a wonderful backpacking trip along Rapid River in 1975. He was a good man. I learned a lot from him on that trip, including how to cook and eat rattlesnake. Thanks for the memories. Thank you for sharing his life story and his life philosophy.
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