Tony Elfering Memorial Scholarship

A father, a colleague, and friend to all

Tony was taken from us on August 24, 2009 in a tragic motorcycle accident. Tony was an IRWA wastewater technician for six years. We at the Idaho Rural Water Association work together as a family and losing Tony was like losing our brother. We miss his contagious smile, jokes, stories and warm hugs. Tony always saw the good in people and treated them the way we all want to be treated.

Tony was also a great father to his two sons, Aaron and James, whom he adored. If you had the privilege of knowing Tony, you know that a day didn’t go by without Tony talking about his boys. Tony will be sorely missed, our friend and colleague.

Tony Elfering Memorial Scholarship

Due to an incredibly generous donation from the Elfering Family, Idaho Rural Water Association was pleased to give away two $2,000 scholarships in 2024! 

You or one of your dependents could be one of two $2,000 winners in 2025!

The scholarship is open to all people who work for an IRWA member drinking water or wastewater system in Idaho and their dependents. You must work for a system member of Idaho Rural Water Association that is in good standing (not open to supporting members). Applicants should be attending an institution of higher learning within the year that the scholarship is awarded.

Click here to access the 2025-2026 school year application. The deadline for submissions is February 7, 2025. The two winners will be recognized at IRWA's 2024 Spring Conference during our Awards Banquet on Thursday, April 3rd, 2025. 

All applicants will be notified of the committee's decision via a mailed letter within three weeks of the posted deadline.

As of April 2024, there has been a total of $34,000 in scholarship funds awarded to IRWA members and their dependents!

2024 Tony Elfering Memorial Scholarship Winners

Connor Johnson

City of Firth

Hayden Kimpton

City of Franklin

Click here to access the 2025-2026 school year application. The deadline for submissions is February 7, 2025. The two winners will be recognized at IRWA's 2025 Spring Conference during our Awards Banquet on Thursday, April 3rd, 2025. 

Make a Donation

Interested in making a tax-deductible donation to the Tony Elfering Memorial Scholarship fund?
Contact our office at: (208) 343-7001 / Email: office@idahoruralwater.com
You can also contribute by purchasing raffle tickets for raffle items at our conferences or by playing in our Tony Elfering Memorial Golf Tournament (details below).

Tony Elfering Memorial Golf Tournament

The annual tournament is held the day before our Conference. It is an open scramble tournament and all proceeds go to the Tony Elfering Memorial Scholarship Fund. You need not attend the conference to play in the tournament. Everyone is welcome!