Wayne Babcock, 61
It is with great sadness that the family of Wayne Babcock shares news of his passing. Sept. 15, 2020, he took his own life amongst the redwoods in the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt County, California. Through his work at Bonner General Hospice, he touched the lives of many families in the Sandpoint area.
Wayne’s family is hosting a celebration of his spectacular life, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, at the picnic shelter in Lakeview Park. His favorite foods will be served: cured meats, watermelon, and pie.
Born June 24, 1959, Wayne grew up on family sheep ranches in Humboldt County, and Indian Valley, Idaho. He was active in sports, FFA, and was student body president at Cambridge High School. He attended Oregon State University and Oregon Health Sciences University, where he earned a degree in nursing.
For nearly 20 years he worked as an organ donor coordinator, researcher, and educator for the California Transplant Donor Network. He led and collaborated on research projects at University of California, San Francisco, and Stanford. He presented his research findings and clinical practice guidelines at national and international professional meetings. He served on national committees to design organ donor policy and procedures. His publications advanced the science, understanding, and success of heart and especially lung transplantation.
In Saipan, Saudi Arabia, and American Samoa, he managed surgical services and intensive care units.
Over his life he also worked as a carpenter, a landscaper, a bartender, a server, an accomplished baker, and hilarious dinner guest.
He moved to Sandpoint in July 2013. His colleagues, and the many Bonner County hospice families who knew him, have shared their appreciation for his excellent clinical knowledge, skills, and compassion. He was a great storyteller, and his backroad travels of this county provided ample material. His stories often had his audience laughing through tears.
His greatest successes were as a father, where he provided tremendously for his two kids. He acted as mechanic and pit crew for his son’s adolescent racing career, and stage dad for his daughter’s years in hula. Always the fun dad, he was known for bringing lots of treats and lots of humor to countless swim and water polo events. No dream was ever too small, no gifts were ever too big- he endowed his children with his spontaneous spirit and signature sense of humor.
He is survived by his son, Tony; his daughter, Alexandra; their mother, Sue; three sisters, Judy, Carol, and Viola; and his niece, Sarah; and his nephews Jonathan and Thomas. His new granddaughter, Makena Mango Maher, will be at the celebration of life, too. His beloved dog, Banks, is in a new and welcoming home.
The family requests that memorial donations be made to Bonner General Hospice, our community not-for-profit hospice. 520 N. Third Ave., Sandpoint, ID 83864.
Though we will be socially close, the family requests that everyone please wear a mask and bring a lawn chair.