Walter E. Auch

WALTER E. AUCH, former Chairman of the Chicago Board Options Exchange and civic-minded executive, died of cancer on December 14, 2010 at his home in Paradise Valley, AZ. He was 89. In August 1979, Mr. Auch was named Chairman and CEO of the Chicago Board Options Exchange. Under his leadership, the CBOE became the second largest securities exchange in the United States, built its own building that housed the largest trading floor in the world, developed the most actively traded product in the world(the OEX index option), and built the Options Institute for research and training. In 1963, he joined Paine, Webber, Jackson and Curtis as a Senior Partner, and member of the Policy Committee with responsibilities that included the branch offices, all products, sales, marketing, research and training. While with the firm, he developed the famous "Stockbroker to Know" advertising campaign. In 1970, Mr. Auch was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of National Securities and Research, a large Investment Management and Mutual Fund Firm. In 1973, at the behest of H. Ross Perot, Mr. Auch became the President and Chief Executive Officer of DuPont Walston Securities. He was particularly proud that he was able to close the firm without a single client losing their investments and that all the personnel of the firm were relocated. For his efforts, Mr. Auch received commendation from the Securities and Exchange Commission. He served as commissioned officer and navigator with the Army Air Force from 1941 to 1945 rising to the rank of Captain. While living in Greenwich, Connecticut, Mr. Auch's civic activities included serving as the Chairman of the Parish Advisory Council and Chairman of the Building Committee of St. Michael's Church and as the Vice-Chairman of the Greenwich Girl Scouts Building Committee. He was a member of the Greenwich Country Club and a past President, and the City Mid Day and Union League Clubs in New York City. In retirement, Mr. Auch remained very active as a consultant to many financial services organizations and served on the Boards of Directors of Thompson McKinnon Asset Management Corp, Fort Dearborn Fund, Bogan Technology Corp, the Smith Barney Trak Funds, Raymond James Financial, The Banyan Funds, First Western Corporation, Sounds Surgical Technologies and the UBS Funds. In 1993, Mr. Auch was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Hillsdale College. Where, he had served on the Board's Investment and Finance Committee. The Auch Scholarship of Business is endowed in his name. At Albion College, he was named a Trustee and Chairman of the Endowment Committee. He served as Distinguished Professor and received the college's Distinguished Alumnus Award. He was the recipient of the Significant Sig Award from the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Mr. Auch is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia (Hogan) Auch as well as three sons, Walter, Jr., Timothy and Terrence; two daughters-in-law, Lynne Bryner Auch and Kathleen Auch; two grandchildren, Ted and Katie; as well as his brothers, Bill, Fred and Tom. He was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Parr of Greenwich. Wally was formerly married to the late Cynthia Murphy Auch of Grosse Pointe, Michigan A memorial service will be held in Paradise Valley, AZ at 10:30 AM at the Valley Presbyterian Church on January 21, 2011. A burial and memorial service in Frankfort, Michigan in June. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mr. Auch's name to Hillsdale College or Albion College.