Dr. James R. Kircher

Burley - James R. Kircher, M.D., passed away at home on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2006. He was born Jan. 2, 1919, in Highland, Ill., to Albert Louis and Ruby Wilhauk Kircher, the third of four children. He grew up in Bellville, Wis. The family moved to Buhl, Idaho, and he graduated from Buhl High School in 1936. He graduated from the University of Idaho in pre-medicine and graduated from Northwestern University Medical School in 1945, where he met and married Florence Mary Lincoln (deceased). He was a medical officer in the U.S. Army from 1945-47, holding rank of Captain at the time of his discharge. He began his solo medical practice at Albion, Idaho, in 1947, where he was college physician at the Albion Normal School from 1947-51. During this time, their first child, Meg, was born. In 1948, he moved to Burley, and established his practice, retiring in 1984. During this time, their second child, Mark, was born. In 1956, he married Rachel Schoessler. He was on staff at the Cottage Hospital, Burley, from 1947-60, when Cassia Memorial Hospital was built. He was Chief-of-Staff from 1960-62 and 1970-74, was on the Board of Governors from 1970-76, and staff consultant from 1985-present. He was Cassia County´s physician from 1951-61. His life is best described by his commitment, passion, and enthusiasm to his and others´ lives. The art of medical healing was his occupation. His memberships included: the South Central Medical Society - president 1957; Mini-Cassia Medical Society - president 1983-84; American Medical Association, to which he served as Idaho Delegate twice; and Idaho Medical Association, in which he served in every office except treasurer. He also served as the Medical Advisory Board Member, Sears Roebuck foundation from 1967-71; a board member of the Cassia Health Care Foundation from 1984-91; Masons and Shriners; and was a member and Elder of the Burley First Presbyterian Church. Other activities include Idaho Physicians People-to-People Tour in 1969, to Sweden, USSR, Poland, Berlin, and Czechoslovakia. He was published in Northwest Medicine. He enjoyed golf, fishing, gardening, bird hunting, racquetball, snow skiing and had been an instructor at Pomerelle Ski Area. He is survived by his wife, Rachel of Burley; his daughter, Meg of Challis; his son, Mark (Barbara) of Boise; grandsons, Matthew Mahrt of Corvallis, Ore. and Brian Mahrt (Shawna) of Boise; one brother, Robert of Forest Grove, Ore., and his nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Florence; a brother, Kenneth; and a sister, Marion. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27, 2006, at the Burley First Presbyterian Church, 2100 Burton Ave., with the Rev. Nina Lashari officiating. A viewing for family and friends will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Sunday at Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., Burley. The family suggests memorials be directed to the Burley First Presbyterian Church or to a charity of choice.