Jeffrey Bohard

Jeffrey Andrew Bohard, 69, died in the early morning hours of Monday, October 27, due to complications from a broken hip and more than 10 years of dealing with Parkinson’s Disease. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Jeff was the only boy in a family of four children. He was everyone’s favorite brother, but he still had to fight three girls to get into the kids’ bathroom! Quiet, smart, and sweet, he was a good student, a (mostly) well-behaved boy who wrote poetry for his mom. His impish sense of humor would bring a twinkle to his eyes. He was a straight-A student all through school, making at least two of his sisters glad they were older and didn’t have to follow him.

Jeff started college at the University of Colorado at Boulder, enjoying hiking, skiing, and the great outdoors. He went to classes, too. Although he continued with his straight-A streak, he decided to transfer to Purdue University to “settle down” and complete his degree in business with a minor in computer science. In fact, it was at summer school that he met his wife, the love of his life, whom he married in 1982. He found her much more interesting than the class.

He began his career at Marine Bank in Milwaukee and quickly rose to the top ranks as the youngest manager in its history. He then returned to Indianapolis as a software engineer for IBM, after which he was promoted to sales management and relocated to South Bend. He transferred back to Indianapolis in 1992 to be closer to family. IBM honored him with multiple sales awards, sending Jeff and Barbara on trips to places including Bali, Venice, Palm Springs, and Hawaii.

An avid sports fan, Jeff followed Purdue football and basketball, the Colts and the Pacers, and sometimes IU, but only if they weren’t playing Purdue. He also loved baseball and both men’s and women’s soccer. His two daughters, Katie and Rachel, were the lights of his life and excelled in school, sport,s and singing from a young age. He never missed their choir performances or games, from Little League baseball through high school cross country and junior varsity and varsity soccer. He even got to watch high school matches from the press box as the scorekeeper.

He was a great dad — more of a playmate when the kids were little — and a loving “Papa” to his four adoring grandchildren. A wonderful, fun, and involved grandfather, he didn’t miss their soccer and softball games, either. They took annual trips together to Hilton Head Island and Florida, and most recently to the Great Smoky Mountains. He was devoted to helping the people he loved without ever expecting credit or anything in return.

His varied interests ranged from outdoor activities to travel to all kinds of music (especially the Beatles) and Broadway musicals. His favorites were “Les Misérables,” “Wicked,” and “Avenue Q” (which, having done so, he warned you should NEVER see with your kids!). Jeff and Barbara loved to travel together, and that continued as their family grew. With their girls in tow, their family vacations were always exciting adventures, from beaches and mountains to amusement parks to the splendor of our national parks. They attempted to attend Major League Baseball games in each city they visited.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Barbara; his two daughters, Katie Salciccioli (Mike) and Rachel Youst (Anthony); his grandchildren, Samantha, Henry, Calvin, and Claire; his mother, Rosalind “Roz” Bohard; and his sisters, Claudia Bohard and Susie Bremen (Phil). He was preceded in death by his sister Debbie Channel (Larry) and his father Milton Bohard.

Funeral services will be on Thursday, October 30, at 2 p.m. at Aaron-Ruben-Nelson, 11411 N. Michigan Road, Zionsville, IN. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation.