Richard Arthur Roche

Richard Arthur Roche (Rick) suddenly passed away at his home Saturday August 31, 2024. Rick was born September 10, 1950 to the late Arthur F. and Vera M. (Eicher) Roche Jr of Freeland Michigan. Rick was 73 years old. Rick is survived by his children, Brian Roche and Bree Manley, Grandchildren Quinlan Manley, Collin Thompson and Bryson Roche, Bree’s children and grandchildren Jack and Amelia, Brian’s (Whitney) children. Also surviving is Rick’s sister Ruth Ann Roche of Traverse City. Rick’s sister Bobbi, her husband Keith and their son Keith predeceased Rick. A nephew Stephen J. (Tracey) DeLong of Vassar, MI survives. Additionally surviving are nephews Christopher and Jon Floyd as children of Rick’s oldest sister Karen also predeceased. At his side, was the love of his life, Brenda (Kirkby), whom he married in 1973. They raised their family on Spider Lake having been introduced to the area when Rick was just a young child. Brenda predeceased Rick on September 3, 2015. Rick had a lifelong love of skiing and taught and coached skiing for a number of years at Sugarloaf Mountain, Crystal and Holiday Hills. Rick was an outdoors type of person and enjoyed water skiing (barefoot), boating, hunting, golf and socializing with friends around a campfire. 4th of July would always see Rick in the center of a fireworks display. Rick and Brenda were both very social and had many friends. Popular on the lake was the “Hooverville” Tiki bar on the Roche beach. Rick was a graduate of Freeland High School and spent some early time at Delta College. Rick had a number of jobs, beginning as an insurance salesman, oilfield mud logger, carpenter, wine salesman, a television newsroom operator and eventually owner of Roche Construction, a business based on large scale remodeling of all kinds. He was a versatile licensed residential contractor that could tackle most any job, large or small. Rick was a trivia master and showed knowledge of a wide variety of subjects. Horseshoes, golf and card games were some of Rick’s favorite pastimes. Rick will be deeply missed by his family and the countless friends he has made over his lifetime. A yet to be scheduled funeral mass is planned at St. Francis Church in Traverse City with a date and time to be released soon. A celebration of Rick’s life will be held on September 28th at 4:00 pm at 376 Highview Rd in Traverse City.

Richard Arthur Roche

September 10, 1950 - August 31, 2024