In Memoriam: Annette Maria (Bucher) Bachand '97PhD, '92MS
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Biostatistics alumna Annette Maria (Bucher) Bachand '97PhD, '92MS, of Fort Collins, Colorado, passed away on June 20, 2026, at the age of 58. A skilled biostatistician and epidemiologist, she dedicated her career to work toward understanding complex public health issues through research and public policy analysis.
Bachand earned her PhD in Biostatistics (1997) and MS in Mathematics (1992) from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, after completing her Vordiplom in Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Tübingen in Germany (1990). She built an international reputation through her distinguished career, first as a faculty member in the Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences at Colorado State University and then as a senior managing consultant at Applied Epidemiology, Inc; ENVIRON; and Ramboll.
In each setting, Bachand was a valued colleague and a dedicated, beloved mentor. Her work led to over 60 scientific publications, and significantly advanced population modeling to assess the risks and benefits of reduced harm tobacco products. She conducted influential research in occupational health and the health effects of air pollution in the United States, Germany, and Central America.
Bachand is survived by her husband, Rick Bachand, sons Andre Bachand and Peter Bachand, her mother Regina Bucher, her brother Killian Bucher, and a host of grateful graduate students, mentees and colleagues who will deeply miss her intellect, warmth, and humor, along with her passionate commitment to scientific rigor.
A memorial service was held on July 8, 2026, at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to their favorite charity, Camp Mak-A-Dream.