Richard Anthony "Dick" Roche of Butte, Montana passed away on November 9, 2024 at the Beehive Assisted Living Home on a Saturday evening after ensuring Notre Dame had secured the win.  He died from complications of Alzheimer's Disease.

Dick was born December 20, 1935 in Butte, Montana to Thomas W. Roche and Agnes (Harrington) Roche, who has been credited to passing along the twinkle in his eye.  He grew up with his siblings Connie and Tom.  He attended Saint Patrick's grade school where he started his altar boy career, that lasted through high school.  He graduated from Boys Central High School in 1954 where he excelled in football, basketball, track, and maintained the infamous paper route.  He started college at the University of Wisconsin but moved to Carroll College after one year.  It was there he completed his football career and predental school requirements.  He attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska graduating from dental school in 1961.  Following graduation, he married Joan C. Olson in Sioux City, Iowa and they headed out on their life long adventure.  First stop was San Diego, California with the US Navy Dental Corps (1961-1963) as a First Lieutenant.  Second and last stop was Butte, Montana where he practiced dentistry for 49 years before retiring in 2012.  Dick believed in civic duty as demonstrated by his membership and leadership in The Elks, Exchange Club, United Givers, Easter Seals, Public Health, Butte Handball Association, Butte Gourmet Club, Butte Central Century Club, Montana Dental Association. He was an active member of these clubs holding various offices and positions. Of course, this was all in addition to being a devoted father and family man.  He valued education, religion, and hard work which he instilled in his children Maureen, Michael, Patrick, and Mary.  As a lifetime athlete he was honored to be inducted into the Butte Sports Hall of Fame.  Other interests included fishing, hiking, camping, handball, cooking, couples bridge, and special travel getaways with Joan.  If you were called a friend, it was important and it was forever.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings and their spouses:  Connie (Roche) and Darrell Gaffney, Thomas W. Roche and Rosemary "Ro"(Boeckle)Roche.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years Joan Clare (Olson) Roche and his children and their families:  Maureen (Roche) and John Tomich and son Ryan Tomich of Butte, Montana, Michael Roche and Florie Janacaro of Butte, Montana, Patrick Roche and Faith Le and their children Audrey Roche, Joe Roche, Vicky Coulter, Aubrey Ho, Jayden Ho of Lynnwood, Washington, Mary (Roche) and Mike Phillips of Fallon, Nevada. Brothers in law and their spouses : Jerry and Mary Lou Olson of Springfield, MO, James and Nancy Olson of Mishawaka, IN  and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Dick's family would like to express our sincere and heartfelt thanks to the outstanding staff of Beehive Home Cottage 3 and the Honeybee Hospice caring souls.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Butte Central Foundation, Alzheimer's Association, or a charity of your choice.

Friends may call on Saturday after 9:00 am in St. Ann's Catholic Church.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am.  Rite of Committal will follow in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.

ATTN:  United Veterans Council