Louis W. Burgher, M.D., Ph.D.

October 31, 1944 – July 19, 2024

VISITATION: Wednesday, July 24th from 5:00pm to 7:30pm at the West Center Chapel.  FUNERAL SERVICE: Thursday, July 25th at 1:00pm, West Center Chapel.  Interment, Forest Lawn.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Relevant Church.

To view a live broadcast of the Funeral Service, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.

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Dr. Louis Burgher was born in Centerville, Iowa to Wendell and Dorothy Burgher.  The family then moved to McCook Nebraska when he was eight years old. After high school, he went to UNL as a Regents Scholar.  Dr. Burgher then attended medical school at the University of Nebraska where he graduated with honors in 1970.  His residency was in Internal Medicine.  He went on to complete an NIH fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Pulmonary Medicine. Dr. Burgher was a lifelong learner and culminated his education with a PhD in Medical Science.  

He had a wide ranging and successful career including private practice physician, President and CEO of Clarkson Regional Health Services, President and CEO of Nebraska Health System, President and CEO of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Nationally recognized expert in Asbestos Litigation and finished his distinguished career as President of Clarkson College. He retired in 2019 at age 75.  He was a teacher, a mentor and a leader to countless individuals in the medical community here in Omaha Nebraska and beyond.  The world is a better place because of him.  His legacy reaches far and wide and will endure for years to come.  

Lou was a man of faith and loved the Lord.  His strong faith was a source of guidance, strength and comfort throughout his life and career.  He raised his family to love the Lord as well.  He carried Jeremiah 29:11 close to his heart and as a guidepost for his life and family.  

Lou’s family was everything to him.  Teaching the kids and then grandkids to snow ski was a source of pride for him. In his spare time he stayed busy traveling the world with his wife Susan, the love of his life.  He had a passion for cattle ranching, horses, hunting and fly fishing.  He was a voracious reader.  When Lou considered you a friend, it was for life.  This is evidenced by the 60 plus years of friendship he had with many and that endured until the day he passed.  His presence will be missed by all who knew him.  

He is survived by his loving wife Susan Burgher as well as his four children Tanya Bashford (Greg), Tara Free (Cory), Luke Burgher (Molly) and Rachel Thompson-Toland (Brad); thirteen grandchildren Johannah Largo (Nathaniel), Seth Bashford (Serenity), Samuel Bashford  (Ashley), Nathan Free (Taylor), Noah Free, Joshua Free (Hannah), Olivia Berck (Christian), Jonas Burgher, Stella Burgher, Carlie Thompson, Kenzie Thompson, Emily Toland and Cole Toland.  He also had the honor of eight great-grandchildren Joelle Largo, Brinley Bashford, Zayne Bashford, Hayes Bashford, Wesley Bashford, Lanaiah Bashford, Jamie Free, Emory Free.  He is also survived by his sister Patricia Gillespie who resides in Longmont Colorado as well as nephews Mark Hallberg (Laurie), Todd Hallberg (Andrea) and Peggy Hallberg. Brother in law Bill Stephens and nephew Mathew Stephens and niece Renee Haag (Ben). 

Lou and his family would like to thank the staff at Elk Ridge Memory Care.  There are too many to name but you were all a blessing to our family.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your care and compassion the last two years.