BOUNTIFUL — Rolf D. Koecher, editor of the Davis County Clipper, died unexpectedly Thursday of a short illness.
Koecher, 61, led the editorial staff at the more than 10,000-circulation newspaper for the past 12 years and spent the last 14 months doing what he could to search for his son, Steven Koecher, who disappeared from the Henderson, Nev., area Dec. 13, 2009.
"He's probably been one of the key instruments for the Clipper to become an award-winning, highly respected newspaper," said Clipper Publisher R. Gail Stahle. "It experienced tremendous growth, thanks to his expertise and tireless efforts. He brought together one of the best editorial staffs in the region, provided steady, strong, but also caring and thoughtful leadership."
Stahle said Koecher's passing, which was likely caused by extensive bacterial infection from toxic shock syndrome, was a shock to the Clipper staff and management.
Koecher served as editor of the Daily Universe student newspaper at Brigham Young University in the mid-1970s and graduated from BYU with a degree in journalism. He later earned an MBA in Texas. Before returning to Bountiful in 1997, Koecher spent some time working at Dow Chemical and Ashland Oil Company, among others.
Koecher and his wife of 35 years, Deanne, have five children and four grandchildren and live in Bountiful. He was also serving as a bishop in the LDS Church at the time of his death.
Funeral arrangements for Koecher have not yet been finalized.