Daniel Kenneth "Dan" Roach

Daniel Kenneth "Dan" Roach obituary

Daniel Kenneth "Dan" Roach

Daniel Roach Obituary

Published by Star Tribune on Jun. 25, 2009.
Roach, Daniel Kenneth "Dan" The full, introspective and vibrant life of Daniel Kenneth Roach, 55, ended on June 23, 2009, surrounded by family. Dan was a big Irishman with a big heart, who loved and was loved by many. He was born January 8, 1954, in Janesville, Wisconsin, the fifth of eleven children of Ken and Mary Roach. He was a proud graduate of St. John Vianney Elementary School, Janesville Craig High School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1977 and 1979. He married the love of his life, Karen Graf, on December 11, 1987, and their hearts grew even bigger with the births of their sons, Conor and Patrick. Dan built an appraisal and venture capital business in Minneapolis and Madison and over 20 years, he helped many business owners and families throughout the country. He loved to cook, garden, bike, and hike with Karen and their yellow Labs. Dan was a lifelong student and fan of history and genealogy, youth football, the Green Bay Packers, and Mother Earth. In addition to his wife Karen and sons Conor and Patrick in Middleton, he is survived by his parents Kenneth and Mary in Janesville, siblings Michael (Barbara), Colleen (Charles), James, Patricia (James), Rosemary (Nels), Gerald (Michelle), Timothy (Heidi), William (Nan), Robert and Richard, mother-in-law Doris Graf, sisters and brothers-in-law Paula (Mac), William (Sabina), Robert (Camille), Karla (Naz) and Laura (Mary), dozens of beloved nieces and nephews, cousins and honorary brothers. A special thank you to Drs. Glenn Liu and Doug McNeel at University Hospital and Clinics, HospiceCare , and the many loving neighbors and friends who supported us on this journey. We will celebrate Dan's life and indomitable spirit with a Memorial Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 602 Everglade Dr., Madison on Monday, June 29 at 2:00 p.m. with Msgr. Donn Heiar presiding. Memorials may be made to the Daniel Roach Family Scholarship Fund at MetLife Securities Inc., 9000 W. Chester St., Milwaukee, WI 53214, or to a charity of your choice. Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 6021 University Ave. 608 238-8406 www.cressfuneralservice.com
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.

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March 11, 2010

Patty Miller posted to the memorial.

February 5, 2010

Mark Stich posted to the memorial.

December 16, 2009

jay jacobs posted to the memorial.

Patty Miller

March 11, 2010

Hi Karen,
Paula forwarded your e-mail with the news about Dan. I'm so sorry to hear about your loss! I'll never forget how he mowed your backyard on Colfax in patterns. He was always welcoming to us AWCers. My heart goes out to you and the boys. Dan was irrepressible and irreplaceable.

Patty Miller

Mark Stich

February 5, 2010

Karen- What a shocker. My thoughts are with you and the boys. Dan was a great guy whom I truely enjoyed working with. He will be missed and I am in awe that he is gone. I will keep you and the boys in my prayers. Mark Stich, Lake Mills, WI>

jay jacobs

December 16, 2009

I have such vivid and fond memories of my good friend, Dan Roach:

I remember how handsome and beautiful Dan and Karen were on their wedding day.
I remember a late afternoon in Minneapolis when Dan and I BBQ'd off my balcony in a raging snow storm. We ate, talked, and had a whole bunch of fun.
I remember when Dan volunteered to drive an RV full of friends for an all-Wisconsin summer golf outing. Dan drove because he couldn't drink and, during our drive, there was a monster thunderstorm to the south (twisters included) while northern lights were on full display to the north. Dan and I talked and laughed for hours.
I remember how Dan loved to sing, expecially songs by "The Boss", Bruce Springstein. He knew every word to all of Bruce's songs.

Dan, I will miss you and
Karen, I have always been one of your biggest fans. I adore you in every respect and always will.

My condolences,
Jay Jacobs

tony carroll

October 20, 2009

Dear Karen, Patrick and Conor:
I just leaned of Daniel's death in a recent UW publication. Dan and I were good friends at UW graduate school and in the year that I lived in Madison after our graduation. Dan was a good friend of my roommate Kevin Kelley as they both attended UW as undergraduates. We formed an awesome threesome of big Irish men.
I regret that we lost touch after I moved to Denver and then to Washington, DC where I have lived (with my wife Alison and our four kids) for the past 23 years. While out of touch, Dan was never out of mind. He was a wonderful friend who would offer guidance and encouragement even in the most difficult of times. He was the most special of friends.
Belated condolences,
Tony Carroll

Randy Rose

October 16, 2009

Dear Karen and Family,
Dan was (and remains) a wonderful catalyst for positive energy for all of us that knew and know him.

We are certain he has made heaven a place of greater grace and lightness in spirit.

Randy and Debbie

Norm Khoury

October 16, 2009

Karen,

We are all saddened to hear about Dan, he was everyones brother. He made you feel like he just saw you last week when you hadnt seen him for a year. We are at the Roses condo on W/ Wash in madtown for homecoming and will trurly miss our yearly encounter with Dan.
loveto you and , Norm & Tara Khoury

June 26, 2009

Dear Roach Family,
I feel like I have lost a brother. Though we are not blood relatives we share a special bond. Prayers from an Irish friend in Apple Valley.
SIncerely,
Susie Roach-Cates

June 26, 2009

Dear Roach Family, I feel as though I have lost my brother. Though the two Roach families are not blood relatives there is a strong bond. Special prayers from an Irish friend in Apple Valley.

God bless!
Susie Roach-Cates

Rich Slagle

June 26, 2009

Karen,
It has been many years since I last saw the two of you and my prayers are with you and your family. Dan was such a great guy with a passion for life.

God Bless,

Rich Slagle

June 25, 2009

I enjoyed reading about this fine gentelman even though I have never met him. The pictue is priceless. May God comfort you in this time of sorrow.

Kathleen Lee

June 25, 2009

Karen, Conor, Patrick and Family, Chris and I were so saddened to read today of Dan's death. It has been years since we have kept in touch, but who could not think of Dan and smile, he was a true "Irish" gift on earth! He loved his family and his life so much, we are so happy to have crossed paths when our kids were young. We still call every duck couple we see by the Creek Dan and Karen, and we still remember funny quotes made by Conor from Pre-School! Chris just tried to look Dan up last week for business, and he could not find him. We did not know you were in WI. And, then, we wondered where Conor was headed to college? We are so very sorry for your loss. You all remain in our thoughts and prayers. YOu are a wonderful family. We will not be able to come for the service, we are taking Brennan to the Coast Guard Academy where he will be attending college. We are so very sorry for the loss of such a great man. Irish Blessings to you all.

Chris, Kathleen, Brennan and Reilly Lee

June 25, 2009

Dan was a fun guy with a great personality. With his naturally gregarious nature he knew everyone in town. Everyone wanted to know Dan. He will be missed by so many.
My deepest sympathy to Karen, Conor, & Patrick.
~ Linda Job Stringer

Rob Chelseth

June 25, 2009

We've lost a good friend and fine fellow - who was generous in heart and deed, and most memorably in his wonderfully happy spirit.

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March 11, 2010

Patty Miller posted to the memorial.

February 5, 2010

Mark Stich posted to the memorial.

December 16, 2009

jay jacobs posted to the memorial.