"Jeff was a long time customer of ours and we produced many a baseball shirt for him. I was caught by surprise the last time he stopped by our shop to see that he was ill. I have thought about him often. We were just talking about him today and I was saddened to learn of his passing. He was a great and kind person. I enjoyed working with him very much! My prayers to his wife, children and family."
In loving memory of
Jeffrey Todd Bucholz
Jeffrey Todd Bucholz, beloved husband of Lorri (Cerva) Bucholz and devoted father to Jack, Grace and Gage, went to rest in the arms of Jesus on June 7, 2019. Jeff is survived by his loving parents, William and Betty Bucholz, as well as his brother Gary (Judi) Bucholz. Jeff will also be dearly missed by his mother-in-law, Jan Cerva, and a large and adoring extended family.
Jeff was born on December 17, 1973 and raised in Troy, Michigan. He graduated from Birmingham Brother Rice High School in 1991 and went on to earn both his bachelor's and medical degrees from Michigan State University. Jeff loved cheering on the Spartans with his family and the countless friends he met along the way.
Jeff was introduced to Lorri while he was an intern at Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital. She fell for his easy charm and the way he made her laugh. Jeff adored Lorri's strength, smarts and selflessness - the way she showed up for everyone in her life with generosity and grace. They were married on August 17, 2002. As their love deepened, they found that they shared so many values, most especially an unshakeable faith in God and a commitment to building a life together with their family at the center.
Following Jeff's residency in anesthesia and completion of a fellowship in pain management, he and Lorri moved to Arizona in 2005. He served as a physician at The Pain Center of Arizona along with partners Steve Siwek, Matt Doust, Ramoun Jones, Todd Turley and Abe Burgher. Patients and staff will remember "Dr. B" for being a gifted doctor who treated everyone he met with kindness, patience and dignity.
Jeff's great passion was coaching baseball. He spent countless hours on fields around the valley investing in kids from t-ball to travel ball. His gift was in truly seeing each player and in bringing out the best in each one. To Jeff, baseball was so much more than a game. It was an opportunity to teach boys about life both on and off the field and to help develop young men of integrity, character and a willingness to work hard - qualities that embodied how Jeff lived his life.
Jeff put God and his family first. He loved their annual family vacations to Coronado Island and taking trips to Wailea, Hawaii and Negril, Jamaica with Lorri. He loved watching his daughter perform in dance recitals and competitions. He was a voracious reader and an avid sports fan.
Jeff's profound faith and love of God was a source of great strength and comfort during his battle with cancer over the last 2½ years. In a consistency that was pure Jeff, he never allowed his illness to change who he was as a human being. Instead, Jeff used the trial of cancer to be an example of God's abiding grace, mercy, love and strength during the most difficult of times. He bore witness to one of his favorite scripture verses, Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Jeff will be so deeply missed - on every ball field and by every player he ever coached, by his many friends and most especially by his family, who loved him best. He was a person who lived what he believed and who moved through the world with wisdom, patience and dignity. He was known for saying, "Do good to others not because of who they are, but because of who you are."
Visitation will be held on Monday, June 17th from 4:00pm-8:00pm at the Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary and Cemetery 6500 E. Bell Rd. in Scottsdale. A funeral service will be held at the Scottsdale Bible Church, North Ridge Campus 6363 E. Dynamite Blvd., Cave Creek on Tuesday, June 18th at 2pm. Former players, coaches and their families are invited to wear baseball attire in celebration of Jeff.
Friends wishing to honor Jeff's life may consider contributing to the Jeff Bucholz Memorial Fund. Please see details at: https://www.gofundme.com/the-jeff-bucholz-memorial-fund.
Tributes
"Dr Bucholz was an absolutely wonderful dr and a great guy. He listened to his patients and always did everything he could to help them live a more comfortable life. I missed him from the time her went on leave and was je returned briefly in hopes his illness into remission. Sadly that wasnt the case and he will be deeply missed.My deepest condolences to the entire family. Your loss is amended! R.I.P."
"Lorri and family, I am so terribly sorry to learn about Jeff's illness and passing. I so enjoyed working with him at Boswell Pain Center when he first came to AZ. He was always so kind to everyone! Such a difference-maker. He was a great pain doctor as well and improved the lives of so many patients! I'm so sad that we lost touch after we both left Boswell/Del Webb. He will be greatly missed by so many!"
"I?m reallly sorry that this happened to such a wonderful person and doctor. Dr B was treating me for years due to a spine injury. What striked me when I went to my first appointment he actually listened and when he didn?t get what I was complaint about. He would take the time to have me reexplain no matter how long it would take. He was a great doctor. Doing everything he could and when he was off he would research my problem because I need pain management for the rest of my life. He did everything to treat me with as little pain Meds as possible and took the extra time to find healthy ways to treat me. He knew that the pain keeps me inside all day and it?s lonely being home by myself. He would alway make it a point to start every visit with about a 10min conversation that didn?t include my health problem and he would take the time even after my appointment and would do the same for 10-15 min. Thx Dr B."
"Lorri... Jack, Grace, Gage! My heart is with you all. I'm devastated. I came online to check if he was still with the Pain Center of Arizona... and when I typed his name, this obituary came up. I thought to myself, wow, so there's other people called "Buckles?" Until I saw his kind face. I don't think I have wept this much for anyone who isn't my family. Children, I'm so sorry for such a massive loss.. But my goodness, what a father to have. I want you to know this about your father. Your father was one of the best humans I've ever come by. The first time I met him... He let me talk for 30 minutes about my pain, and listened compassionately. He spent the first 10 learning how to say my extremely difficult name... For a smile, I'll let you practice it too... My name is Hauwa'u Jid'dah Nwokolo... Yes, he got it in 10 minutes. Even more amazing was he called me by that name everytime he saw me without a mistake, and without looking at my documents. He talked about you kids and your mom incessantly... With pride, and joy. My goodness, what a father to have. What a husband to have... and what as life to live... My goodness what an amazing life to live. I hope that the life he lived, and the love he had for God, and his family, continually gives you peace, and comfort. I grieve with you all, but mostly I give glory to God for a life well lived. I was a better version of myself everytime I was in his presence. He made our lives easier to live. Thank you all for sharing the gift that will always be remembered as Dr. "Buckles!" with us. I'm eternally grateful. Please receive my sincere condolences, gratitude, peace, comfort, joy, and love. From my family to yours!"
"I was very sad to hear of Dr. Bucholz passing. He had been my pain management doctor from 2012 until he became ill. I will forever remember this wonderful young man who had such charm and wisdom. I was blessed to have been treated by such an excellent physician who really listened. We traveled from Lake Havasu City to see Dr. Bucholz because he was that terrific. My prayers to his wife and three children. May God bless."
"I just found out about Dr.Bucholz passing. My Condolences to you and your family. Dr.Bucholz was my Pain Doctor for many years at TPC. He was the best Doctor. He was friendly and always took the time to explain everything. He will be truley missed"
"My deepest condolences to the Bucholz family. Dr. Bucholz was such a kind, sweet, caring person and a fantastic doctor. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time."
"My heartfelt condolences for your family. Dr Bucholz was my physician. He was truly compassionate and caring! He is missed a great deal. My thoughts and prayers are with you! To be absent from the body is to be Present with The Lord! II Corinthians 5:6-8"
"Lorri: I am so sorry for your loss. You and your children are in my thoughts and prayers. Jeff was loved and respected by all and he was very devoted and thoughtful in his care of others as a talented and kind physician."
"Lorri So sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and the kids. You and the kids will be in my thoughts."
"It is so difficult to realize that Jeff, the always present coach of our grandson Owen's baseball team for so many years has left us. He never gave up and was at his son's game a few short days before passing. His dedication to his family was always obvious and his coaching taught the team so much more than baseball. His passion for our children and grandchildren taught them how to grow up and gave them a wonderful example to follow when they are adults. Our hearts go out to Lori and devoted father to Jack, Grace and Gage and also to Jeff's parents who always supported him. You were truly blessed. May God be with you at this difficult time."
"I?m shocked and saddened to hear of Dr Bucholz passing away. He and you were always so kind and nice to all at TPC when I worked there. Sincerely, Allan"
"Lorri- Pat and I are so sorry for your loss. I?ve known 3 great men in my life. My father, my husband, and Dr. Bucholz. He was an exceptional doctor and even more, a great person. Without ever asking, you could tell he lived his life through God. As I was dating my husband, I asked for time off to travel, and I was always nervous about my time off requests, he said, ?Don?t worry about it, you will never get this time back.? He always saw the big picture in life and knew how special time was with the ones we love. It was an honor to work along side him and a fellow Spartan for 3 years. I will forever be in dismay that he is no longer with us and will always remember the laughs and time we shared."
"Lori, Myself and the entire Envision Therapeutic Horsemanship family send you the deepest condolences it was such a blessing for me to be able to have Jeff at the ranch and spend just a little time with him just a few weeks ago. He had such grace and dignity. The ranch and the horses are open to your family if we can be of any comfort. Your entire family is consistently in my prayers."
"Lorri, I am sorry for your loss. May God give you comfort and strength during this difficult time."
"Lorri, Our hearts go out to you and the kids during this time. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers, ."
"As freshman at MSU, Jeff a senior took a couple of us (Bryan and I) under his wing and guided us in the way of dorm life. The first encounter was the Monday Night Lions game against the Cowboys which Barry ran all over them for the win, the floor went nuts, I ended up in hos room screaming out his window with the rest of campus, at this time I knew this guy was special. Special until I found out he was a Hurricane fan, but iI could overlook that. We began to play catch in the hall with others and which then turned into reaching out to the rest of the building and creating a dorm tackle football league. During this time he helped me with my escapability and ideal playing weigh of 160lbs. My favorite phrase when he'd draw up a play and we exit the huddle, as he was qb, was " see you in the endzone". He had recruited a couple of us to join his club, the He-Man Women Haters club in which we would wear black on Valentines day. In the the 2nd semester, he talked us into taking Coaching Football 101 which was instructed by Nick Saban, great class. Enjoyed numerous weekend outings with Jeff and others, one which took us to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Another time with Jeff and Rahul took us downtown East Lansing, i drove my S10 with a box of onions (for winter weight)and Sethi in the back asking pedestrians if they want an onion as he threw them some. After that year, we had no contact until my son was born (2004) at Motts at U of M and I ran into him roaming the halls. Even though my time wiith him was very short, he had a tremendous impact on many aspects of life, his sense of humor,personality, and respect for everyone stood out and lead me to a similar path. Thank you Jeff for all your guidance and fun times, "see you in the endzone""
"Lorri, My husband, Gary Rostan and I were so sad to learn of Jeff's passing. Jeff and Gary were fellow D.O.'s and colleagues and worked a couple of doors from each other at the Bell Rd. office. Jeff was also my physician and helped me so much. Being from Michigan and having gone to U of M, we always talked about the Spartans and the Wolverines. I loved his Spartan banner in the treatment room. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers."
"I loved Jeff and the memory of Jeff for the always positive impression he made on my grandsons and on their playmates, his own children, Jack, Grace and Gage. I know these children loved their Dad and l can only imagine the emptiness at him not being with them now. I loved Jeff too for the example he was to my daughter and her husband as a coach, a parent and a father faithful to his heavenly Father known through his son Jesus Christ. Jeff was strenghthened by the Holy Spirit through his personal trials with a strength only possible from a love of the Triune God. Last, I want thank you Jeff for making me evaluate who I am and how seriously I need Gods help to approach the heights that I have seen you achieve. My heart goes out to Lorri and your wonderful children. Thank God I had the opportunity to know you Jeff. To God goes the GLORY."
"I met Jeff through his college friends from Michigan State University. Shortly after graduation, Jeff joined our men?s Bible Study group and I am pretty sure that is where he came to saving faith. I remember standing in support at his baptism. We lost touch once he moved out of State but I can only imagine the influence he had on the lives of others with his sharp mind + living faith."
"My condolences, will continue to pray for your family. I am a friend of Terri and brother to Mitzi and have been praying for Jeff and the family for some time. So Sorry Elmer Johnson"
"I was so sad to hear about Jeff?s passng. I was a medical school classmate of Jeff?s, and we are often in class groups together. He was a very kind soul and a great physician. My prayers are with his family and friends."
"Lorri, Our thoughts and prayers are with you, the kids, and the entire extended family during this time. Let those memories you cherish provide a sparkle in your heart. Your strength and God?s Grace is all you need."
"Lori, I was so sad to hear of your loss. I never got to meet Jeff but Lisa always had such wonderful things to say about your family. You were truly blessed to have had the time with a great person. My prayers are with you and your family as you travel through this next chapter in your life. May God be with you. Jan Lay (Lisa McIntyre' mom)"