Bill Luscher of Libby passed away peacefully on June 9, 2014, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls, at the age of 82.

He was born on Aug. 18, 1931, to Charles E. and Betty (Lampton) Luscher. After graduating from Libby High School in 1949 he went on to attend the University of Idaho at Moscow, where he achieved a Bachelor of Science degree in forestry, majoring in wildlife and range management.

Before he could pursue a career, however, Bill served in the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1957, as a pilot in a troop carrier squadron.

Following his discharge, Bill began his career with the Bureau of Land Management. He went on to earn his master’s degree in natural resource administration from the University of Michigan in 1967. He went on to be appointed the state director for the BLM in Santa Fe, N.M. He finished his career as state director for the BLM in Oregon and Washington state, retiring in 1989 to his home state of Montana with his wife Kate.

During his prestigious career, he was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award and the Meritorious Executive Presidential Rank Award (the highest honor award given by the Department of the Interior and the second highest civilian award given by the president).

Bill’s greatest loves in life were his family and the outdoors. His lifelong passion for the natural environment could be seen through his love of hunting, fishing, camping and traveling, all of which he enjoyed with the company of his faithful dogs.

He leaves behind his childhood sweetheart Kate, wife of 58 years. He was the proud father of three daughters, Jennifer Hurshman and Tom, Pamela Cushman and Mitchell, and Molly Edwards and Steve; and proud grandfather of seven grandsons, Derek and Jeremy Hurshman, Bryce and Miles Cushman, and Curtis, Zachary and Cameron Edwards; and one great-grandson, Beckett Cushman. He is also survived by his brother, Jim Luscher, and Yvonne; and his sister, Cheryl Wood and Woody; along with numerous other relatives.

Bill leaves behind a legacy of selfless dedication to his family, church and community.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on June 12 at the Community United Methodist Church in Bigfork. A graveside service with military honors will follow later that day in Libby.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Flathead United Methodist Church Camp, 21339 Methodist Camp Road, Rollins, MT 59931. 

Columbia Mortuary is caring for Bill’s family.