Nicholas Blair "Nick" Roach

Nicholas Blair Nick Roach Nicholas Blair Nick Roach passed away on June 23rd, 2013 in Topeka, Kansas, at the age of 77. Nick was the son of Eugene and Mary Kittle Roach, and was born in Oceanside, New York on January 13, 1936. The family moved to Kansas City in 1945, and to Excelsior Springs, Missouri in 1947, and then to Topeka, Kansas in 1953, where Nick spent much of his life. Nick was a graduate of Excelsior Springs High School, and Washburn University, receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration in 1958. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. Nick married Carol Zeller in August, 1958, and they had three daughters, Cindy, Colleen and Connie. Nick worked in the family commercial laundry, dry cleaning and linen supply businesses from 1948 until 1961, when he began a 35 year public service career, with the State of Kansas Department of Post-Audit. From that position, he moved to the University of Kansas Athletic Department, Johnson County Community College, University of Kansas Medical Center and Kansas Division of Purchases, where he was Director of Purchases from 1982 until 1992. He was appointed Director of Purchasing at Florida Atlantic University in 1992. In 1994, he became the Director of Procurement at Missouri State University. He retired in 2003 and returned to Topeka. He attained lifetime memberships in NIGP, NAEB, and NASPO, the only lifetime member of all three public purchasing organizations. Nick was active in the JCGAA and the SCGSA, coaching girl s fastpitch softball for over 20 years. He was also very active in Arab Shrine, currently serving as the treasurer, a position he had held since 2006. He was a member of the Arab Shrine Clowns, the Order of Quetzalcoatl, and the Royal Order of Jesters, as well as a member of Siloam Lodge #225, and the Valley of Topeka Scottish Rite. Additionally, he served as Associate Bethel Guardian of Job's Daughters, Bethel #1, and was a member of the DeMolay Legion of Honor. Nick was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Gene Roach, and his wife Carol. Nick is survived by his daughters, Cindy Roach, Colleen (Joe) Gadwood, and Connie Roach; his grandchildren Tyler and Bailey Gadwood, his sisters, Mary Ellen Mayberry, and Kathleen (John) Lake, brother-in-law, Bill Quick, many nephews, nieces, cousins, and a special lady, Janet Whitaker. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Shriners Children's Travel Fund c/o Arab Shriners, 1305 South Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66612-1332 or the Helping Hands Humane Society, 5720 SW 21st Street, Topeka, KS 66604. Services will be 10:00 AM, Thursday, June 27, 2013, at First Lutheran Church, 1234 SW Fairlawn Road, Topeka. Masonic services will be at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery, 3616 SW Sixth. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Wednesday, at First Lutheran Church. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com. Nicholas Blair Nick Roach