Kevin Luby

  Kevin Robert Luby, 42, beloved husband, father and Ada County paramedic, died in an automobile accident Jan. 8 in Oregon.

Born June 7, 1976 in Plainview, N.Y., son of Kenneth and Tina Luby. He graduated from Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School and attended the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in chemistry before moving on to the Denver Health Paramedic Program.

Kevin joined Ada County Paramedics in 2005 and quickly became highly engaged within the agency. Serving as a field training officer, a member of the Ada County Deputy Sheriff’s Reserve as a member of the tactical medical team, he also served in special operations, high-angle rescue and hazardous materials medical teams.

  More personally and among his fellow paramedics, Kevin was the larger-than-life figure. Blessed with excellent interpersonal skill and that rare ability to defuse tense situations with humor, he defended friends to the end and would do anything for them, especially if they were in trouble.

Fellow paramedic Peder Humlen-Ahearn recalled an incident from a combat medical school they attended in Minnesota: 

  “One of our big exams was trekking eight miles over hills and through mud and water, carrying a manakin. In the final mile, we had to army-crawl with people shooting simulated ammunition over our heads. One of our team members got hurt and could not advance. Kevin dragged his fellow teammate the last half mile so they could successfully complete the course. That’s the kind of guy he was.”

Friends and relatives knew him as the social butterfly who could make everyone in the room laugh or, depending on the circumstances, cringe. He enjoyed wearing a kilt in honor of his Irish heritage and loved the stares and comments it elicited.

  He married Linda Scopelliti, a fellow Paramedic, in 2011. They had one son, Eli James, age six, with whom Kevin had cultivated a close and special bond.

  Kevin loved to travel, visiting eight foreign countries and all but two U.S. States. He was often outdoors - especially with a dog by his side. He enjoyed camping trips with family and friends and excelled at mountain biking, skiing, snow-shoeing, paddle boarding and SCUBA diving.

  He played rugby in college and later coached the first women’s rugby team at Northern Colorado, whom went on to win multiple State Championships. He also played with the Snake River Rugby Club after moving to Idaho and coached rugby for five years at Eagle High School.

  Preceded in death by his grandmother, Florence DeRenzis; great Uncle Joe Feldburg - and Yeager, wildly recognized as “the most amazing Wire-Haired Pointing Griffon” in all of northwestern Meridian.

Surviving, are his parents, wife, and son; a brother, Michael S. Luby, and sister-in-law Cory Luby, and nephews Connor and Cody Luby, all of San Antonio, Tex.

Meritorious honors and services will be Jan. 21, 2 p.m. at the Eagle Christian Church, 100 Short Lane, Eagle Idaho. Donations are welcome in his name to; Ada County Paramedics Association, Idaho Humane Society or your local animal shelter.

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