http://www.kxly.com/Global/story.asp?S=10450709 Man drowns in St. Joe River during kayak trip Posted: May 30, 2009 9:17 PM CDT Updated: May 30, 2009 10:28 PM CDT Man drowns in St. Joe River AVERY, Idaho — The Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office confirms that a 54-year-old man is believed to be drowned in the St. Joe River near Marble Creek. 54-year-old Dr. Tony Oertling was floating on the St. Joe when he began having troubles with his kayak, according to family members. Dr. Oertling got out of his kayak to swim to shore when he became caught on an object in the water and drowned. The four others traveling down the river with Dr. Oertling tried to save him, but couldn’t revive him. According to the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office, Dr. Oertling had nearly three decades of kayaking experience, 20 of those on the St. Joe River. Deputies say all of the people in Oertling’s party were wearing life jackets and other safety gear. Family members say Dr. Oertling was a chemistry professor at Eastern Washington University.