VANDALIA-BUTLER SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT DIES

Sucher was president of Vandalia-Butler school board.

Bruce Sucher, president of the Vandalia-Butler school board and a former Vandalia city manager and police chief, died suddenly while attending the University of Dayton men’s basketball game in Pittsburgh on Friday, according to school district officials.

A statement from the district called Sucher’s passing “an unimaginable tragedy for this family, our district, and the entire Vandalia-Butler community.”

Sucher, 70, was a community leader in Vandalia for 40 years, since his hiring as a city police officer in 1976. City communications manager Rich Hopkins said Sucher served as police chief for four years in the 1980s, then was Vandalia city manager from 1988 to 2004. The city’s justice center and expansive recreation center were built under his leadership.

“He did amazing things here. His fingerprints are all over this town,” Hopkins said. “In every way shape and form, he was a topnotch guy who loved this community and busted his butt for this community. We’re all very grateful for what he’s done for us and obviously very sad and hate to see this.”

NewsCenter7 Sports Director Mike Hartsock said Sucher collapsed in the stands behind the UD pep band at one end of PPG Paints Arena about 15 minutes before the game. Medical staff quickly wheeled him away on a stretcher. The Allegheny County Medical Examiners Officers said Sucher died of acute coronary syndrome, which covers a range of disorders, including heart attacks.

Sucher was elected to the V-B school board in November 2013, and was in the last year of his four-year term. Superintendent Brad Neavin said Sucher’s death came as a “total shock.” He said Sucher had the interests of the students, staff and community in the forefront of his mind.