Robert "Bob" Bocher, Jr.

Robert Vaughan Boucher, Jr. passed away in the early morning March 25, 2023 with his family nearby. Bob was born Sept. 4, 1938, in Lockhaven, Pennsylvania. He grew up in State College, Pennsylvania, where his father taught as a Professor at Penn State. Bob served two years in the U.S. Marines as a machine gunner and was stationed in Japan before leaving the service and traveling to Colorado to pursue professional skiing. An enthusiastic rock climber and skier, Bob served on the volunteer ski patrol at Arapahoe Basin in the 60’s and later at Purgatory in the 70’s. He climbed many rock routes in Eldorado Canyon, helping establish first ascents for several climbs, including the Diamond of Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park in 1964.

Bob met and married his wife, B.J. in 1962. He continued education at Denver University, but followed his rock-climbing enthusiasm to Leysin, Switzerland, in 1964. There he joined world famous climber John Harlin, and helped with reconnaissance on the direct Eiger ascent. He and B.J. returned to Colorado in 1965, living in Vail, Colorado, where he spent two years as a professional ski patrolman.

After the birth of their son, (Robin) Robert Vaughan Boucher III, in 1965, the couple moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, where Bob earned a B. S. degree in Industrial Construction Management. A short stint with Bechtel Corporation in 1969 took the couple to Washington D.C. It proved that life in a large city was not their choice. Their enthusiasm for the wildness of Colorado settled them permanently near the Rockies.

Bob moved his family to Durango, Colorado, in 1970, and spent two years as an engineer with the Colorado Dept. of Highways. He established a private construction company, Hermosa Builders, in 1973, and oversaw construction of numerous commercial projects in the area before leaving the company in 1985. Bob tried his hand at cross country truck driving, then settled back in Durango and in 1986, designing and building a totally self-sufficient passive solar home. His devotion to energy efficiency and sustainability of homes was a passion. Bob remained an avid skier and climber until illness forced a change.