Robert G Ducharme

Dr. Robert G. Ducharme 87, of Evanston IL, previously Deerfield, passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 23, 2013, while visiting family in Colorado. Dr. Ducharme was a graduate of Goddard College (Plainfield, VT) and obtained a M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from Syracuse University. He spent his professional career in public service as an Urban Planner. The last 20 years of his career he was President of Robert G Ducharme, Inc. a private consulting firm specializing in government planning and policy analysis. Prior to that, he held various senior level positions at the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC) including Deputy Executive Director. Major NIPC plans and studies were prepared under his direction on a variety of subjects including air pollution, airport noise, economic development, housing, land use management, transportation, water quality management and water resources. Prior to coming to Chicago, Dr. Ducharme worked for six years in various planning capacities with the city of Milwaukee, including Planning Coordinator in the Mayor's office and as Research Director with the Milwaukee City Planning Commission.

Bob was a WWII combat Veteran, and flew 35 missions as a tail gunner in a B-24 bomber, 8th air force, European Theatre. Dr Ducharme held numerous leadership roles among his fellow professionals. He was a past President of the Chicago Section, American Institute of Planners, and past President of the Research Clearinghouse of Metropolitan Milwaukee.

Dr. Ducharme also served in numerous leadership roles in his local community. He was a former Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee on School District reorganization for School District #110 Deerfield, IL. He was a former Chairman of the Zoning Task Force, Lake County Advisory Board. He was a member of the Coordinating Council on Mental Health, Substance abuse, and Developmental Disabilities. He also served on the Deerfield Village Plan Commission, and on the Deerfield Village Center Development Commission.

Bob spent countless hours over the last thirty years on his late life passion – researching his family genealogy. He published an extensive 1300 page – two volume history of his family, tracing them as far back as the tenth century in Europe. Bob was an avid reader and a life long student of history. He was very well informed about world affairs and politics and always enjoyed a feisty debate. He was especially passionate about the environment, equal opportunity, civil liberties, and human rights. Bob was a member of the North Shore Unitarian Church for the last forty years and was an avid member of the Men's Group there for the last 25 years. He worked one day per week, over the last ten years, as a volunteer at Midwest Palliative Care and Hospice Center in Glenview. He was quite skilled in both making stain glass windows and carpentry and his works decorate his children's homes.

He is survived by three children Robyn (Dan) Fogelberg of Longmont CO, Peter (Lauri) Ducharme of Wauconda IL, Donna (Scott) Ducharme of Glenview and Grand Detour, IL and step-daughters Dawne (Mark) Swanson of Edgewood WA and Gail Swanson of Puunene, HI. He was a grandfather to Nicole (Scott) Ross, Chad Fogelberg, Savannah (Matt) Wieland and Matthew (Lindsey) Sherrill and a great-grandfather to Jennifer and Amanda Ross, and Kamden and Addelyn Sherrill. Bob was born September 8, 1925 in Mapleville, RI to Homer and Fabiola (Roch) Ducharme. He was the third of six children and is survived by his sisters Vivian Dwyer of Pascoag, RI, Pauline Shurick of Glendale, RI, and a brother, Norman (Flat) Ducharme of Mapleville, RI. He had many nieces and nephews including locally, Rusty Ducharme of Wauconda, IL. He is also survived by his two former wives Jayne (Hamilton) Zagar of Dixon, IL (previously Fox Point, WI) and Myra (Edelman) Ducharme of Missoula, MT (previously Deerfield, IL.) He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Anita Potter and his brother, Russell Ducharme.

A memorial service in his honor will be held on Saturday August 24, 1:00 PM at North Shore Unitarian Church 2100 Half Day Rd (IL 22) Deerfield, IL. Bring a flower for a communal bouquet. A reception will follow at the church.
Memorial gifts may be sent to Midwest Palliative and Hospice Care Center, attention Jason Gillespie, 2050 Claire Court, Glenview, IL 60025-7635 where Bob volunteered.