Douglas Robert Roach

Major Douglas Robert Roach (Ret) was born on September 25, 1958 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, (on a balmy day with the barometric pressure that would have indicated good fishing) to Robert Roach and Joann (Eldridge) Roach. He grew up with two brothers and two sisters. He graduated from high school in 1977 in Waterloo, Iowa.

He married his best girl, Laurie Anne Follett in the summer of 1983 in Elgin, Iowa under a Full Moon. He acquired a beautiful 4yr old girl named Jayme. To this marriage, they added 2 sons, Michael and Jonathan. While the children were growing up, “Dougie Fresh” as he came to be known, was growing a career in the health field, including a degree from the University of the State of New York and a degree from the University of Nebraska. He was a medic, Licensed Vocational Nurse and finally a Physicians Assistant. He was a counselor, a preceptor, and a battle body. He was a member of the 1-8 CAV and 1-12 CAV, 1st Cavalry Division. He instructed for the Interservice PA Program and was Phase II Coordinator for the IPAP at Ft. Hood, Texas. He served the United States Army with Valor and Hardiness, Purity and Innocence, and Vigilance, Perseverance, and Justice, earning the Official Order of Military Medical Merit, the Bronze Star-1 Oak Leaf Cluster, the MSM (Meritorious Service Medal) -4 Oak Leaf Clusters (4OLC), the Joint Services Achievement Medal, the ARCOM (Army Commendation Medal) – 4 Oak Leaf Clusters (4OLC), the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 Campaign Stars, the National Defense Service Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Medical Badge, the Driver and Mechanic Badge, the Good Conduct Medal (4th Award), the Valorous Unit Award and the Super Unit Award.

He proudly wore his Stetson (earned for having been in the Cavalry unit) and his Spurs (earned for having been deployed with the Cavalry unit). After 30 years in service to his country, “Douglas Von Hippen Roach” retired. Afterwards, he continued to wear the Stetson and Spurs along with his added ponytail and handlebar mustache and he continued to serve the military community in the Carl R Darnell Emergency Room at Ft. Hood, Texas as a staff PA.

“Papa Roach” presented himself as a gruff and cantankerous, but he was a benefactor to many. He had promised his pickup to his Goddaughter, Emma when she turned 16. She reached this milestone eight days after his passing. His family followed through with this promise, handing over the keys on April 23rd. He offered help to anyone who needed it, up to and including the shirt off his back, allowing others to repay his generosity by helping him dig his pond, work on his porch, or help with his John Deere.

He was a member of the VFW and American Legion. He enjoyed fishing, working on his land, carving, and trivia. He died on April 15, 2020, looking into the eyes of his best girl, his wife of 36 years. He is survived by his wife Laurie of Killeen, TX, his children Jayme Starr Blais of Glendale, AZ; Michael Henry Roach of Waterloo, IA; and Jonathan Douglas and Lisa Roach of Lansing, IA and grandchildren Eli 7, Leon 3, Dahlia 8 months. He is also survived by his Goddaughter, Emma Burns, his brothers Michael Roach of Waterloo, IA and Gregory and Barb Roach of Evansdale, IA and sisters, Linda and David Herold of Cedar Falls, IA and Victoria and Jeff Christensen of Hot Springs, SD. He is also survived by his parents Robert and Joan (Eldridge) Roach, Evansdale, IA and his in-laws, Steven and Mary Follett of Mayor, MN, Daniel and Andrea Follett of Columbia, MO, and Mother-in-law Karen Follett. He had lots of nieces and nephews who adored him and plenty of cousins, aunts, and uncles that will miss him.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents Griffin and Eldora Eldridge, and Harold and Gertrude Roach.

The Troopers at Fiddler’s Green welcome you, Major. We have the watch now.

If anyone would like to make a donation or send a card to the family, you may do so at the address below:

Laurie Roach

700 Mustang Lane

Killeen, TX 76549