Gary Boucher

Gary Boucher succumbed to prostate cancer 10 years after he was first diagnosed. He fought the disease with courage and remarkable grace and, when he ran out of treatment options, died at the TRU Hospice Care Center in the arms of his wife and daughter. His son on the east coast was able to speak to him before he died. Gary was born in Colorado Springs to Paul and Edythe Boucher, graduated from Colorado Springs High School, from Colorado College with a B.S in Physics, and finally from Columbia University with a Ph.D. in Geophysics. In a variety of capacities, his professional life took him across the U.S. from Alaska to Florida, across Asia from Japan to Mongolia, and by ship from the Arctic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. While his work certainly satisfied him, his greater satisfaction lay in his wide ranging volunteer work. Over the years, he was a volunteer firefighter, lieutenant, and EMT with the Coal Creek Canyon Volunteer Fire Department, a volunteer for Boulder County Care Connect, a Victim's Advocate with the City of Boulder Police Department, and a volunteer with the Boulder County Jail to Community Program. It was his wish to continue to help and to teach by donating his body to the University of Colorado Medical Center. He was a rock climber, a bicyclist, a cross country skier, winter mountaineer, and a runner who figured that, with his dog, Zoe, he'd put in over 15,000 miles on the trails of Boulder County's open spaces - much of it after he received his diagnosis. He was a student, a teacher, a good friend, a delighted and loving grandfather, a proud and devoted father, and a deeply cherished husband. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Susan; his daughter Jennifer Boucher-Reid, her husband Brian Reid and their children Sebastian, Owen, and Evie of Louisville; and by his son Nathan Boucher and his wife Lindsey Bilger of Charlotte, NC. He is also survived by a large extended family and network of friends who will treasure his memory. His family is profoundly grateful to TRU Community Care for their gentle and tactful support, and, in lieu of flowers, would appreciate donations to TRU Community Care, 2594 Trailridge Dr. E, Lafayette, CO 80026. A Memorial Service will take place next spring.