special news
In
Remembrance
Pat Herron, Executive Publisher
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Bob Boucher
1947-2006
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On February
13, 2006, my business partner and dear friend Bob Boucher, 59, passed away after
battling a serious illness for the past few months. Bob was a wonderful role model
for all who knew him. His business savvy, knowledge and experience impacted the
lives of so many in both vision care and business publishing over many years.
A
1968 graduate of Bucknell University, Bob started his business publishing career
at The Chilton Company in 1969. During the next 23 years, Bob worked for The U.S.
Business Press, Gordon Publications and he served as President and CEO of Gralla
Publications in New York. In 1992, Bob was recruited by the equity firm Brentwood
and Associates to form Cardinal Business Media as President and CEO. Over the
next five years, Cardinal grew to be a dominant player in business publishing, serving
numerous specialty areas including the optical and vision care markets.
I had the privilege of acquiring
the vision care titles and a number of technology publications with Bob in 1997,
when Boucher Communications, Inc. was formed. The business grew steadily, and by
2005 we were the publishers of five leading eyecare-related publications, Ophthalmology
Management, Optometric Management, Eyecare Business, Contact Lens Spectrum
and our newest publication, Retinal Physician, which we launched in 2004.
In September 2005, we sold our company to Wolters Kluwer, a leading provider of
healthcare communications around the world.
Along with his tireless work in
the office, Bob was an active member of several boards, as well as the American
Business Media.
As I look back over our years together
in business, I realize how fortunate I was to know such a great man. Speaking for
our employees, colleagues and many industry friends, Bob will be missed by everyone
he touched in his life.
Bob is survived by his wife, Mary Lou,
his sons Michael and Brian, his parents Robert N. Boucher Sr. and Charlotte K. Boucher,
five grandchildren and his brother David M. Boucher. The family is requesting donations
in Bob's memory be made to the American Brain Tumor Association (800-886-2282 or
hope.abta.org).
Pat Herron, Executive Publisher
Contact Lens Spectrum, Issue: March 2006