Gerald D. Bucher, formally of rural Humboldt Nebraska, passed away February 11, 2025, at his home in Marana Arizona at the age of 94 with his wife Shirley by his side.
Bucher served Nebraska and his community in multiple positions for decades. He was a three-term Richardson County Commissioner, having attended over 600 weekly board meetings, logging over 30,000 miles to and from Humboldt in the process. That doesn’t include countless hours spent in miles driven attending various meetings and functions. Bucher served four years as County Board Chairman and was NACO President in 1989. He served on the NACO Executive Board for four years.
As a NACO Board Member, he served on both the Jail Standards Oversight Committee, and Social Services Committee. Bucher was also a member of the NIRMA Board of Directors, the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Board, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development CDBG Advisory Committee, and 12 years on the Region V Human Services Governing Board. Bucher was a member of the Blue Valley Mental Health Center Board for 12 years serving as President for three years and Vice President for two years. He was a member of the State Mental Health Advisory Committee in 1988 and served on the Southeast Nebraska Development District Board for 12 years. Bucher served for 12 years on the River Country Economic Development District Board and was a 12 year member and Past President of the Southeast Nebraska Council of Governments.
Bucher served for five years on the UNL Technology Transfer Center Advisory Committee and was a three-year member of the Southeast Nebraska Community Action Board. In the Humboldt Community Bucher served on the Humboldt Community Memorial Hospital Board and Richardson County Rural Water District Board. He was a member of the Humboldt Chamber of Commerce, and served for many years as Superintendent of the Swine Division at the Richardson County Fair. He was a past treasurer of the Quad County Pork Producers Association.
A retired farmer northeast of Humboldt, Bucher was an US Navy Air Reserve Veteran, Member and Elder of the former Humboldt Presbyterian Church, and was a Past President of the former Parish Council of the Humboldt and Pawnee City Presbyterian Churches.
Bucher is survived by his loving wife of over 72 years Shirley (Resch); their four children, Gerri, Fred (Debi), Barb (Rich) Vanier, and Ron (Michelle); nine grandchildren, two step grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and four step great-grandchildren; a sister, Sherryn Rist and a sister-in-law, Etna Resch; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Leo and Alma (Fruhbauer), siblings Marilyn DeJonge, Jannette Boring, Betty Kistner, Gary, and Bob.
A graveside memorial service will be held at the Humboldt Cemetery at a later date.
Condolences may be sent to the family at 5250 W. Dove Centre Rd, Apt. #3303, Marana, AZ 85658.
