Federico Bucher Weibel

Federico Bucher Weibel (23 March 1911 – 8 December 1979) was a Chilean physician and politician affiliated with the Radical Party.

He was the son of Juan Bucher and Josefina Weibel. He married Lucía Amelia Almarza Pensa in 1936.

Educated at the Lyceum of Traiguén and the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Chile, he graduated as a surgeon in 1935 with a thesis titled Tracoma oculto (“Hidden Trachoma”). He practiced medicine at the Charlín Ophthalmology Clinic and the Salvador Hospital. Specializing in ophthalmology and otolaryngology, he worked in Puerto Montt, serving as a physician for the Workers’ Insurance Service and as regional head of the National Welfare Office.

Political career A member of the Radical Party, he presided over the party assembly in Puerto Montt.

In 1944, he participated in the by-elections held to fill the vacancy left by Deputy Santiago Ernst, who died on 9 February that year. However, the seat was taken on 21 May 1944 by Alfonso Campos Menéndez of the Liberal Party, who defeated the Radical candidate Bucher Weibel by 5,404 votes to 3,891.

He was later elected Deputy for Llanquihue, Puerto Varas, Maullín, Calbuco and Aysén (1953–1957), serving on the Permanent Commission on Medical–Social Assistance and Hygiene.

Re-elected deputy for Llanquihue, Puerto Varas, Maullín, Calbuco, Aysén, Coyhaique and Chile Chico (1961–1965), he continued to serve on the same commission.

He also engaged in agriculture, operating the “El Gato” estate in the Aysén Province, dedicated to livestock breeding.