Roger Roche

Roger Kenneth Roche
KETCHUM - Roger Kenneth Roche, age 69, passed away on Friday, April 11, 2008, at his home in Ketchum.
He was born Sept. 3, 1938, in Pocatello, Idaho, the child of Oliver G. and Leola Roche. Roger grew up in Pocatello and attended Pocatello High School and Idaho State University.
Skiing and the ski industry have been a large part of Roger's life. Roger learned to ski at an early age. He traveled with his parents to Sun Valley in the 1940s. His love for skiing led him to ski instructing at Skyline Ski Area in Pocatello. He was a member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America and participated in the 1968 Interski Demonstration Team.
Roger moved to Sun Valley in 1971. He worked at the Sun Valley Inn, Scott USA and in 1979, Roger and partners started the Reflex ski pole company.
Along with skiing, he loved cars; old cars, hot rods and Porsches. He enjoyed collecting old bicycles like Schwinn and Whizzer. Roger loved the outdoors. He enjoyed golf, bird hunting, fishing ...
Roger was an entrepreneur and businessman. In addition to his pursuits in the ski industry, he owned Roche Moving and Storage in Pocatello. Roger had a natural ability for turning something he loved into an enterprise.
Roger always made time for others and truly enjoyed and appreciated his many friends.
Survivors include his loving companion, Peggy Dean, of Ketchum; his son, Craig (Kathi) Roche of Tucson, Ariz.; and his granddaughters; Olivia Roche of Hailey and Annie Roche of Tucson, Ariz.; his daughters,, Jill (Scott) Blake of Hayden, Idaho and Julie (Joe) Mazzuca of Post Falls, Idaho; his sister, Jacque Freeman of Pocatello; and his brother, Terry (Bea) Roche of Las Vegas, Nev. Those preceding him in death were his parents, his sister, Joan Torres, and his wife, Phylis Roche.
A celebration of Roger's Life will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., Monday, April 21, 2008, at River Run Lodge.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Ketchum Ambulance Service, Box 966, Ketchum, Idaho 83340, or the Hospice of the Wood River Valley, Box 4320. Ketchum.
Arrangements are under the care of Wood River Chapel of Hailey, Idaho (www.woodriverchapel.com).