David Ralph Bircher, 83, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

It is with profound sadness that the family of David Ralph Bircher announces his passing at Hôpital Saint-Francois d’Assise in Quebec City  on March 16, 2021. David was the beloved husband of Carol Nickel Bircher of Byron for 60 years. 

Born in Wisconsin, and raised in Iowa, he was the son of Dr. Ralph Bircher and Mrs. Eleanor Culver Bircher.

David was the loving father of Matthew, Rebecca (Joe Huza) and Maria (Thor Bishopric), and proud grandfather to Cameron, Teale and Jaidyn. He will be sadly missed by his sisters, Patricia Slater and Lynne Stewart, and by his sisters-in-law Linda Bircher and Chloé Bircher. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Leonard and John.

A musician, David held a Doctorate in instrumental conducting, having been educated at Morningside College, Indiana University and the University of Cincinnati. He made his career as a horn player with  “l’Orchestre Symphonique de Québec,” and as a tenured professor on the music faculty of Université Laval.

A lifelong visual artist as well, and a member of the Society of Canadian Artists, later in life David published “Portrait de Québec, Une monographie photographique, 1965-1980” as a love letter to the city.

The family will be eternally grateful to the many members of the Quebec medical community who supported David through years of difficult health challenges.                                                     

Observing all COVID restrictions, an intimate service will be held at Maison Gomin on June 5 at 2 p.m. Family and friends are invited to access the service virtually by opening  ‘avis de déces’ on www.lepinecloutier.com and clicking on “captation des rituels.”

In lieu of flowers, those who wish might consider a donation to the Fondation du CHU de Québec, 10, rue de l’Espinay, Québec (Québec) G1L 3L5, or to the Restoration Fund of Chalmers-Wesley Church, 78 rue Ste-Ursule, Québec (Québec) G1R 4^E8.