Mark Eldon Manteuffel, 63

Mark Eldon Manteuffel, M.D., was called home to the Lord on June 19, 2024, just days before his 64th birthday. Mark was born in Spokane, Wash., on June 24, 1960, to Eldon and Mary Manteuffel, both of whom were passionate educators. Early in life, Mark devoted himself to the Lord, which was plainly evident in his character and distinguished service as a medical doctor. 

Undaunted by hard work, Mark carried a personal standard of excellence throughout his lifetime. He graduated from West Valley High School in 1979. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in 1983, followed by his Doctor of Medicine in 1987 from Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, Okla. He completed a Transitional Internship at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane and a Family Practice Residency at the University of North Dakota Medical School.

Mark’s medical career included service as a Commissioned Officer and Flight Surgeon in the United States Air Force Medical Corps — and is one of very few who got the opportunity to ride in a B2. He served as an Emergency Physician at Logan Regional Hospital in Logan, Utah, for two years and then cared for the North Idaho community as an Emergency Physician at Kootenai Health for 26 years. He retired from the emergency department in 2022 but continued practicing medicine at Lakeland Immediate Care in Rathdrum. 

Because of his passion for flying, Mark obtained his Private Pilot’s License in 1991. He became a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner in 1995 and earned his Human Intervention Monitoring study designation in 2022. He established Coeur d’Alene Flight Medicine in 2003, where he was a skilled advocate for aviators until his untimely death. Mark’s dedication to helping others also included numerous medical mission trips to Nepal, Haiti and Bolivia. He was a member of Candlelight Christian Fellowship in Coeur d’Alene. 

Mark’s consistent allocation of time outside himself was a true testament of his love for others. Mark was not an educator by profession, but teaching was an indisputable trademark of his character and a principle he upheld daily in his numerous facets of life. It brought him immense joy to spend time with friends and family: horseback riding, shooting, archery, fishing, backpacking, flying, hunting, scuba diving, sailing, traveling, woodworking, forging, etc. He tirelessly and abundantly gifted people with his time, something his closest friends and family knew he never had enough of. His unexpected death has left us painfully bereft of the precious times we thought were to come.

Mark loved our family dearly and used to say being a father was the most cherished of his many roles. His carefully measured words were never found empty.

He is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Michelle Manteuffel; his son, Matthew Manteuffel; daughter Aubrey Harper; and precious grandson Rhett Harper. He is also survived by his parents, Eldon and Mary Manteuffel of Spokane; his sisters, Kay (Steve) May and Lori (Larry) Gibson; as well as nieces, nephews and great-nieces. Mark also leaves behind a large extended family, friends and colleagues who all love and miss him terribly. 

A memorial service to remember Mark’s life will be held Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at the Hagadone Event Center, 900 S. Floating Green Drive, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. All are welcome. 

In honor of Mark’s life of service and compassion, our family asks that donations be made in his memory to two organizations he held dear: Moody Aviation (training missionary pilots) (6719 E. Rutter Ave. #68, Spokane, WA 99212) and Inland Northwest Trinity Project (providing mobility carts to disabled people in developing countries) (P.O. Box 361 Colbert, WA 99005). 

“… we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well-pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”  — 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

Mark is well-pleased to be with the Lord. That doesn’t mean our hearts don’t painfully ache from missing him, but we are comforted by our hope in Jesus Christ. Please visit Mark’s memorial and sign his online guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.