Birch, 93, led local HUD office

Guy J. Birch, a longtime attorney who specialized in real estate law and a former area director of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Office in Omaha, has died at 93.

Birch died Tuesday at Methodist Hospital after a long illness, said his son, Richard Birch of North Platte, Neb.

The elder Birch enjoyed reading and singing, but his main hobby was golf, his son said, adding that his father also was a habitual joke teller.

Guy Birch served in the Navy’s weather service in World War II. He graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Law and went into private practice in Lincoln. He was the assistant U.S. attorney in Lincoln from 1954-61, then was an attorney with Prudential Insurance in Omaha from 1961-71.

From 1971-78, Birch was area director for HUD in Omaha. He then transferred to the Washington office and stayed there until 1981.

Birch returned to his native Nebraska to retire in Omaha.

He had been a longtime member of Countryside Community Church. The son said his father had been in the choir and served on many church boards.

Survivors also include his wife of 60 years, Lois; daughters Ann Birch of Omaha and Patricia Birch of Lincoln; and two grandsons.

A memorial service will begin at 1 p.m. today at Countryside, 8787 Pacific St.

Contact the writer:

444-1165, sue.truax@owh.com