Dr. Bruce David Auchard

Dr. Bruce David Auchard (known as David) passed away Thursday, January 4, 2018, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.  He was born December 20, 1934, in Lawrence, the son of Virgil Marion Auchard, MD, and Mildred Leota Coker Auchard.  He  graduated from Lawrence High School in 1953 and the University of Kansas in 1957 with a major in physiology.  He obtained his medical degree at the University of Kansas in 1961, and did internship  as well as 1 1/2 years of residency in general surgery at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, before completing two years of orthopedic residency and an additional year as Chief Resident  at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan.  After his residency, he remained on staff of Henry Ford Hospital and later became Board Certified. In 1967 he was sent with wife and children to Fifth Field Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, where he served as an orthopedic surgeon in the US Army.  He continued to serve through 1969 as a Major after transfer to DeWitt Army Hospital in Ft. Belvoir, VA.  In his medical practice in Mansfield, OH, from 1969 to 1993, at  a time when arthroscopic surgery was in its infancy, he was the first to introduce it to his area in Ohio.  As team physician for local high school football teams, he developed a special interest in Sports Medicine, and became Board Certified in that specialty.  After closing his practice, he was plant physician for General Motors from 1993 to 1995.  While there, he spoke at a national conference regarding need for rotation of jobs to avoid injuries caused by repetitive motion in the workplace.  After retirement, he returned to Detroit to conduct training of representatives from all plants on the same topic.

He held a pilot’s license as a young adult, and was an avid golfer.  He was champion of an Ohio state medical golf tournament in 1974.  In 2001, his team won the cup in a Kansas state seniors’ game.  He is remembered for his lively sense of humor, uncanny sense of geographic location (even into advanced Alzheimer’s), knowledge of history, and voracious reading of scientific and medical journals. In his retirement he retired also some of his outdated orthopedic tools.  He used old cast saws for removing sheetrock, as well as trimmed windows, doors and built cabinets for his own home.

He married Carol Anne Schowengerdt on July 3, 1957, at Danforth Chapel on KU campus, Lawrence.  She survives him, as well as his sister, Adrienne I. York of Council Bluffs, IA.  Other survivors are: a son, Greg A. Auchard of Bellville, OH, his son, Nicholas David Auchard of Cary, NC, and Greg’s wife, Sarah Maschke Auchard with two daughters, Audrey, and Amelia of Bellville.  David  is also survived by:  daughter, Kerry M. Auchard married to Bruce S. Miller, their son, Colten A., and daughter, Emmarie K. Miller of Kansas City, MO; a daughter Kymari A. Auchard-Smith married to Grant A. Smith, their son, Cameron T., daughter, Rachel L., and son, Conner A. Smith of Overland Park KS; and a daughter, Amy C. Blaufelder of Oskaloosa, KS, Erik Blaufelder, and sons, August K. and Kyan A. Blaufelder. David and Carol also have two grandchildren “by claim:” Jerrard Tucker and Alicia Tucker, children of Greg’s first wife, Lisa.

David was preceded in death by his parents, as well as a sister, M. Maurine Jost; a sister, Arlene E. Anderson; a sister, R. Rosemary Harris;  his brother, V. Allen Auchard, MD; and a grandson, Clayton W. Miller.

The family wishes to  thank especially Jefferson County Health and the staff of Lawrence Memorial Hospital for their caring support.  A service in David’s memory was held privately at the home by immediate family.  A gathering in the home for family and friends will be in three months on Sunday, April 8, 2018, from 2 to 4 pm.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions made to “Insightful Minds Legacy Fund” in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 6601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS 66044. Online condolences can be made at rumsey-yost.com.