Richard Frank Bucher

Richard Frank Bucher, age 93, long-time resident of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, and husband of 70 years to Alice Elaine Bucher (Kauer), passed away peacefully on August 8, 2024, after an extended illness. Dick was born in Kansas City, Missouri to William A. and Dorothy C. Bucher, who instilled in him the importance of family, love, and hard work. Those values centered him throughout his life. It was his desire to hold onto family as long as possible that graced him with so many years.

Dick attended Central High School and graduated early at the age of 16, intent on starting college and his life. Family lore holds that as the grandson of one of the first children born in the new state of Kansas, Dick earned a scholarship to the University of Kansas. At KU he met Alice, who immediately caught his eye. They married within a year in 1953, shortly after he graduated with a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering. He would proudly and often say that all his accomplishments were due to Alice’s support and selflessness. They renewed their vows last year on their 70th anniversary.

Upon graduation, Dick was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. His first posting was to UCLA, where he earned a certificate in meteorology before deploying to Korea, rising to the rank of captain. After four years of service, Dick joined the Management Development program at General Electric in Cincinnati, returning to school in the evenings and receiving his M.B.A. from Xavier University. At GE, he was proud to be selected for the team working with the federal government on the feasibility of nuclear thermal propulsion engines for Mars travel. Because of security classifications, his family would only learn of his work decades later.

Dick approached his career as he did his education, with drive, determination, and hard work. He attributed his success in business to his work ethic, saying he was no smarter than anyone else, he just gave 110%. In 1990, Dick retired from Imperial Chemical Industries as President of ICI Composites Inc., with worldwide responsibility for the composite materials and ceramics business. Before joining ICI in 1985, he held several senior executive positions with other companies, including President of the plastics and coatings division at Beatrice Chemical, Senior Vice-President at GAF Corporation, and Vice President International for Olin Corporation’s Winchester Group. Dick also served in management at Allis Chalmers. Following retirement from ICI, Dick continued to serve the chemical industry through his consulting business, R.F. Bucher Associates.

Dick’s lifelong interest and passion for learning led him to teach courses at KU, Purdue University, and the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology. He was an avid reader and collector of books and a lifelong student of history. He fostered that love of learning in his children and grandchildren.

Dick never forgot his Kansas roots. Despite his business success he never put himself above anyone else. He had a remarkable ability to see each person he met as an individual with unique talents and gifts – whether a line employee he managed, a neighbor, or his own children. He took particular interest in helping grandchildren discern their individual interests and path in life. His ability to connect with people was due to his deep empathy for others and his unique sense of humor.

Although Dick and Alice moved frequently for his career, his generous nature, kindness, and sense of humor were evident wherever they lived. He was active in community organizations such as Scouting, Junior Achievement, Rotary International, Chambers of Commerce, and hospital boards. His faith and the Episcopal Church were a centerpiece of his life, and he served as lay reader, usher, chalice bearer, and vestry member. Dick was a member of Church of the Advent in Kennett Square for thirty-nine years, until his death. There he saw his son married, grandchildren baptized, his granddaughter Arden buried, and the family celebrate his and Alice’s 60th anniversary.

Dick possessed a keen interest in history and cultures, which was evidenced in more than his choice of reading material and travel. When a new pet arrived, out came the world map; a Persian cat was named Shushtar after a city in ancient Persia and Dalmatian puppies were named after the island of Brac and the city of Banja Luka in Ancient Dalmatia. He crafted a wooden jumping toy for his children, similar to one used by Korean children and took the legs off the dining room table so a Japanese-themed dinner party would be more authentic. While working for Winchester, Dick enjoyed learning the history of firearms and became a collector of antique Winchester rifles. In retirement, he proudly donated his first-series collection to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, in Cody, Wyoming, which houses the most comprehensive collection of American firearms. In Dick’s eyes, history was everywhere. He embraced all life had to offer with enthusiasm.

After moving frequently as their family grew, Dick and Alice settled in Kennett Square. There he designed and built his and Alice’s dream home, using his knowledge of engineering and carpentry to do much of the finish work alongside Alice, his children, and now growing crew of sons-in-law and daughter-in-law. On any given weekend one would not be surprised to find Dick accompanied by his cherished Dalmatians, supervising his “troops” in digging potatoes, weeding, or rebuilding rock walls. The plaque on a garden bench read, “A family that weeds together stays together.” Dick was very proud of the long, loving marriages of all his children.

In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his brother William Bucher (and his wife Dorothy); his brother Robert Bucher, who died in infancy; and his beloved granddaughter, Arden Quinn Bucher. He is survived by his loving wife, Alice; daughter Kathryn Bucher and her husband Stephen Jessey of McLean VA; daughter Elaine Bucher Sanders and her husband James of Redding, CT; daughter Melissa Bucher and her husband Scott Sykowski of Boxford, MA; and son Richard A. Bucher and his wife Amy of Bethlehem, PA. Dick also is survived by eight grandchildren, Clare and Noah Jessey, Emma and Nathaniel Sanders, Benjamin and Bryn Bucher, and Grayson and Zoey Bucher, along with many nieces and nephews.

Dick’s family would like to thank the staff at Crosslands, Firbank West, who took such good care of him for nineteen months.

A memorial service and celebration of Dick’s life will be held Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 11:00 am at Church of the Advent, 401 N Union St, Kennett Square with internment immediately following in the church’s memorial garden. Afterward, all are welcome to join the family for a reception in the William Penn Room at Crosslands,1660 Street Road, Kennett Square from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dick’s memory may be made to the Arden Quinn Bucher Memorial Fund at the St. Baldrick’s Foundation – https://www.stbaldricks.org/hero-funds/ardenquinn.

Arrangements by Kuzo Funeral Home of Kennett Square, PA.