Alex F. Roche
- Published: June 1, 2017
Alex F. Roche
Alex Roche, of Yellow Springs, died on May 21, 2017 at Friends Care Community. He was 95 years of age, born in Healesville, Australia. Alex was the son of Frank and Myrtle Roche. He graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1946 and later obtained several post-graduate degrees from the same university: M.D., Ph.D. in anatomy and D.Sc. in child growth. He was a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
After graduating in medicine, Alex completed a residency before joining the staff of the Anatomy Department at the University of Melbourne. He was a Fulbright Scholar at Western Reserve University in 1952 and on his return to Melbourne, he founded the University of Melbourne Child Growth Study. This study was very effective in data collection and data analysis and produced innovative publications. In 1968, he was asked to join the staff of The Fels Research Institute in Yellow Springs as the senior scientist and head of The Fels Longitudinal Study.
There were many changes in The Fels Longitudinal Study during the years that followed. An emphasis on the development of methods was introduced. The most important of these was a new method for determining the maturity of the skeleton in those not yet adult. The scope of the longitudinal study was expanded to include emphases on the composition of the body and on risk factors for chronic diseases including body composition, blood pressure and blood lipid levels. Sophisticated statistical methods were applied in all analyses to utilize fully the serial nature of the data. The collection and analysis of genetic data were increased markedly. These research efforts were recognized within the United States and abroad. Alex received awards and honors from many research organizations and was elected President of two international associations. He organized and chaired 29 international and national research conferences.
After The Fels Research Institute became part of the Wright State University School of Medicine in 1977, Alex became Professor of Pediatrics and of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Wright State University; later he relinquished the latter position and became Professor of Community Health. From 1990 to 1995, he was the University Professor at Wright State University. Alex was responsible for the publication of 62 scientific books and monographs, 400 papers and 394 abstracts, posters and book reviews. He gave 383 lectures at scientific meetings. In 2004, Alex was honored by the Human Biology Association with the Franz Boas Distinguished Achievement Award.
Locally, Alex became president of the Lions Club of Yellow Springs and of the Yellow Springs Senior Citizens Inc. He held the latter position for ten years, during which the financial stability of the Yellow Springs Senior Citizens was enhanced. Alex served on the Board of Trustees for Area Agency on Aging. He admired seniors for their quiet courage, when faced with the challenges of living independently.
Alex was preceded in death by his parents and by Eileen, who was his loving wife for 57 years. He is survived by his children, Peter and his wife Ginni, of Enon, Stephen, of Boston, and Margaret Adams and her husband Charles, of Yellow Springs; by his grandchildren: Eric Adams and his wife Alexis, of Yellow Springs, and Nicole Will and her husband Matt, of Centerville; and by his great-grandchildren Kendall, Stella, Memphis, Adelyn and Carter. Alex has cousins, John and Rosalind Roche in Tennessee and many more relatives in Australia.
A memorial service for Alex will be celebrated on Saturday, June 3 at 1 p.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church, 308 Phillips St., Yellow Springs. Memorial contributions may be made to Yellow Springs Senior Citizens Inc., 277 Xenia Avenue, Yellow Springs, OH 45387.
4 Responses to “Alex F. Roche”
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When I was a student, Dr Roche gave me a job working the analysis of his Child Growth Study data collected at the University of Melbourne. Even though I was the lowliest member of the team, he always took the time to explain the bigger picture and to include me in meetings and discussions. His generosity in sharing his knowledge has led to my retaining a layperson’s interest in this field. The world has lost a very valuable scientist and a very great man.
My sincere condolences to family and friends.
I will always remember Dr Roche with quite profound thankfulness for his help when I lived in Cuba. Dr Roche sent me many of his articles and books. His help was very valuable for me and my colleagues. My condolences to his family.
His was one impressive intellect, but I also remember his gentle, soft-spoken kindness. My condolences, Stephen, Peter and Margaret, and to the rest of the extended family.
With the passing of Alex, those of us who study the physical growth and maturation of children and adolescents have lost perhaps the best scientist in the field. His contributions were many and unique.
Alex was a genuine, kind and thoughtful person, a very supportive colleague, and a friend.
Robert M. Malina, PhD, FACSM
Professor Emeritus
Kinesiology and Health Education
University of Texas at Austin