Former Libertyville resident earns honor

LIBERTYVILLE­­­­ - Larry Bucher, son of the late Edward and Marjorie Bucher of Libertyville, received the nursing alumnus of the year award Oct. 29, from Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tenn.

Bucher and his wife Carol traveled to Tennessee to attend an alumni meeting, 40 years after graduation.

He was surprised when they announced the recipient of the award and his picture was shown on the screen.

Bucher was honored for his contribution to nursing over many years and mission service in Africa. While in Africa he worked as an operating room supervisor, sole nurse anesthetist, chairman of the social committee for the school of nursing connected with that hospital, and taught a class in the school as well.

He also was commended for his many years of service to the church in several capacities.

In receiving the award Bucher commented that all nurses are teachers in one way or another.

Bucher said his philosophy is that the patient was the most important person in the operating room.

?It should be the goal of everyone involved to see that the patient has the best possible outcome,? he said. ?Every function is important, including the work of the persons who clean the operating room and sterilize instruments.?

The Buchers said they have fond memories of Libertyville and people they knew there.

They now reside in Lincoln, Neb., near their children.