James R. Roche

Dr. James R. Roche, 93 of Carmel, passed away Sunday, March 11, 2018.  He was born July 17, 1924 in Fortville, Indiana.  He served in the US Army.  Dr. Roche graduated from Indiana University in 1943 and the Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1947.  He also completed postdoctoral education at Forsyth Dental Infirmary for Children and Riley Hospital for Children’s Dental Clinic.

Dr. Roche was in the private practice of pediatric dentistry in Indianapolis for 18 years, retiring in 2002.  As a faculty member of Indiana University for 37 years, he received appointments as Professor and Chairman of Graduate Pediatric Dentistry and Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Academic Affairs.

Dr. Roche received certification from the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, was elected as Board Chairman, and for 20 years, served the board as Executive Secretary-Treasurer.  He received a Distinguished Teaching Award from IU in 1976 and an IUPUI Experience Excellence Recognition Award in 1984. The American Society of Dentistry for Children presented him the 1993 Award of Excellence.

Dr. Roche was the recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from IU School of Dentistry Alumni Association in 2003, and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from IU Pediatric Dentistry Alumni Association in 2005.  He received the 2008 Honor Dentist Award from the Indianapolis District Dental Society by the Indiana Dental Association.

Dr. Roche had the great opportunity to work with a multitude of high achieving postdoctoral students in pediatric dentistry and excellent faculty members, to publish academic papers, and to provide scientific presentations on pediatric dentistry and the faculty development-both nationally and internationally.

Family and friends are invited to gather Friday, March 16 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Flanner Buchanan-Carmel.  Funeral services will be Saturday, March 17 at 11:00 am at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, of which he was a member.

Dr. Roche was the widower of Viola “Vi” Morris Roche, to whom he was married 67 years.  He is survived by his daughter, Ann (husband, Steven) Potter; granddaughters, Allison (husband, Zack) Parker, Kelly (husband, Andy) Smith, Kendall (husband, Luke) Hinton; great grandchildren, Stone and Ainsley Parker, Tucker and Livie Smith, Pax, Story and Maeve Hinton.

Memorial contributions may be made to IU Pediatric Dentistry c/o IU School of Dentistry, Indianapolis.  Please visit flannerbuchanan.com to sign the online register book.