During his 16 years as DuPage County’s elected recorder of deeds, Fred Bucholz worked to strengthen protections for homeowners, including creating a property fraud alert program to notify landowners if a scammer tried to take possession of their properties.
“He was a specialist in an area that probably doesn’t get looked at enough. You sort of take for granted that your property is your property, but in today’s world of scams and misinformation, he instituted a fraud alert system so that people can get an email if someone illegally places a lien on their property,” said former DuPage County auditor Bob Grogan, who recently was chosen to chair the Illinois Republican Party. “He also did things for veterans who had lost their paperwork, allowing them to use the recorder’s office’s great record-keeping system.”
Bucholz, 71, died of primary progressive aphasia on May 15 at the Alto Wheaton assisted living and memory care facility in Wheaton, said his wife of almost 30 years, Rebekah Bucholz. Fred Bucholz had been a Wheaton resident since 2004 and previously had resided in Winfield and Lombard.
Frederick Carl Marvin Bucholz was born and raised in Elmhurst, where he graduated from York High School in 1973. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1977 from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, where he played football.
After college, Bucholz worked for a time as a bartender at the now-shuttered Louis’ restaurant and bar in Addison. He then took a job in the DuPage County circuit court clerk’s office as a clerk, working for DuPage Circuit Judge Carl F.J. Henninger, who later became DuPage’s chief judge.
In 1984, Bucholz’s cousin, J.P. “Rick” Carney, was elected DuPage’s recorder. Carney tapped Bucholz to be his chief deputy recorder, and for the next 20 years, Bucholz assisted Carney in running the office.
“We never had a fight,” recalled Carney. “He was gregarious and jovial. We worked together and we traveled together — he and I went to all the (recorder) conventions in Springfield and nationally.”
Bucholz told the suburban Daily Herald in 2003 that one of the keys to the duo’s success was that “we run one of the most unique and aggressive offices technologically. We try to run it as a good business.”
After Carney chose not to seek re-election in 2004, he endorsed Bucholz to succeed him. Bucholz ran unopposed in the general election in 2004, and went on to win re-election three more times on his way to a 16-year run as recorder.
While in office, Bucholz developed a free program for all DuPage residents, Property Fraud Alert, that offered real-time protection for property owners. He also created a free Honor Rewards program for military personnel, providing discounts and benefits from local businesses. DuPage’s recorder’s office routinely records military discharge papers.
Bucholz also served as chair of the Illinois Electronic Recording Commission, a panel that developed rules to allow all Illinois counties to establish standards for electronic submission of documents. The role made him a leader in best practices among county recorders, statewide.
“On-screen and off-screen, Fred was exactly the same person. He was a smile waiting to happen, and he was a guy that you wanted to know,” said former DuPage County Circuit Court Clerk Chris Kachiroubas. “Not all counties have a recorder — a lot are incorporated into county clerk’s offices — but he represented the recorders very well. He was never afraid to offer what DuPage County was doing.”
Bucholz chose not to seek re-election in 2020.
“He always touted that he was a public servant,” Rebekah Bucholz said. “He really just wanted to serve the people.”
Outside of work, Bucholz enjoyed golfing and, when his children were younger, being involved with them in sports.
A first marriage to Debbie Cox ended in divorce. In addition to his wife, Bucholz is survived by a daughter, Brigette DeMarzo; two sons, Jack and Danny; four grandsons; and a brother, Phil.
A celebration of life service will be held from 12 to 4 p.m. July 26 at Arrowhead Golf Club, 26W151 Butterfield Road, in Wheaton.
Bob Goldsborough is a freelance reporter.
