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James Roach Obituary
James R. Roach, a World War II veteran, former cultural attaché at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, and professor of government for 45 years at UT, died Aug. 5. He was 87.
Roach had suffered a fall a few years ago, but continued to live at his home under hospice care, said friend and colleague Gary Freeman, chairman of the UT Government Department.
"He was a major figure on campus, and he has had a major impact on thousands of students," Freeman said. "He's not just your typical professor who taught for a long time. He left a big footprint."
Former student Robert Hardgrave said Roach's classes on India during the 1950s were the inspiration for his career as a government professor specializing in the country.
"I don't know of anyone in the Government Department who had the impact on students that he did," said Hardgrave, who joined his mentor at the UT Government Department before retiring nine years ago. "He inspired a number of students to go into the American Foreign Service. Others, like me...became professors."
Born in Rock Rapids, Iowa, in 1922, Roach joined the Navy in 1943 , where he served in Australia, the Solomon Islands and the Philippines in the areas of bomb disposal and ordnance intelligence. Roach earned a doctorate in government at Harvard University and joined the UT faculty in 1949, where he taught until 1995.
Freeman remembered Roach as a voracious reader, who, in the days before e-mail and hyperlinks, would clip magazine and journal articles for his colleagues and place them in their mailboxes at the Government Department.
Freeman said friends and colleagues are planning a memorial service and said those who want to remember him can donate to the James R. Roach Endowed Fund in American Foreign Relations at the UT Department of Government, which supports student and faculty study and research in Asia.
[email protected]; 912-2942
Memories and Condolences
for James Roach
27 Entries
Eric James Roach
September 1, 2022
Jim...You've been gone 12 years now. We shared numerous phone calls, he in New Delhi, I stationed with the U. S. Navy in the Philippines. We had many spirited discussions, and always got familiar advice from him that I had heard from childhood, it always started "Now EJ..." Yes, I was named for my Uncle Jim, James Robert Roach. He was the main reason I joined the Navy and he fostered my "seeing the world." It is little known that Jim was U. S. Navy SpecOps during WWII as a bomb disposal officer ( now Explosive Ordnance Disposal). He kept in touch with his classmates and members of the Navy SpecOps community until shortly before his death. That was my Uncle Jim. Whether current or former students, be you his first ever class at UT, or his last, I'm sure most of you kept in touch, I'm guessing through typewritten letters, cards or postcards. Jim was a font of information on countless subjects, and I miss our chats about politics and foreign policy.
Jim...I miss you and the postcards. Say "Hi" to Dad for me, and I know you are both having some great discussions. Love you...EJ
January 27, 2015
I must say I was not a good or disciplined student when I took Dr. Roach's class, Politics of Southeast Asia. He was a hard taskmaster and I felt fortunate to get out of his class alive....But it was his influence and stories about S.E. Asia and India that made me want to experience what he had seen and done and eventually influenced me to join the Peace Corps in Afghanistan.....I learned many good life lessons there and on trips to India, Thailand and Singapore that will never be forgotten. I cannot think of any other Professor at UT that affected me so much. Just wish I could take your class again. Bless you Dr. Roach, bless you.......Sincerely.....Dan S. Cunningham.....class of 1973
Janet galeener Redeker
May 22, 2011
DR. Roach was a tremendous influence on me and pushed all of us to learn more aout foreign relations and to love that subject. I will miss him.
Edward White
February 27, 2011
Professor Roach taught two wonderful classes at UT in the 1980s, American Foreign Policy and Politics of South Asia, both of which he taught with enthusiasm and passion. He was kind enough to work with me on an independent study, and welcomed me as an undergraduate to enroll in a graduate level couse he was teaching. He alone probably made my education at UT truly first-rate and I am sure that he did the same for many other students over the years. Jim Roach will always be the best in my book.
Celia Morris
January 8, 2011
I had the misfortune of not being a student of Jim's, though I audited one of his classes and remember a time when a question I asked made him blush. Jim blushed more sweetly than anyone else I know, and I think this added to the sense he gave of being a modest, tender-hearted, lovely man. Since close friends of mine, including one ex-husband, were his students, I got to know him a bit when I was still a student, but our real friendship blossomed almost 40 years later when I wrote him that I was going to India and would love to get his advice when I was next in Austin.
This began the wonderful experience of getting his amazing cards and letters, in which the typing so filled up the available space that I wondered what amazing machine he had that could make that physically possible. He made me lists of books, of course, but over several lunches in the next few years he talked about his time in India, the friends he'd made, the places he'd gone. And he was so delighted when I came back from my first trip smitten with the place. He said, with that wonderful grin, "We got you, didn't we!"
His first years there coincided with Pat Moynihan's stint as ambassador, and when Pat's wife Liz heard that I knew Jim, she was gleeful. He leaves behind an army of people who admired him, learned from him, enjoyed him, and some who truly loved him.
January 8, 2011
Jim Roach was my model professor, some time colleague, long time mentor, and valued friend. My relationship began in 1959 when, just out of the Navy, I began a year of graduate work at UT, with Jim my first professor of international relations; his seminar on the study of international relations influenced my thinking as an academic for years after, and his suggestions at the end of the year put me on the right track to an academic career. More such conversations from time to time thereafter were always useful. We were also colleagues at UT, when I taught in the Government Department in summer sessions, the year I spent as a visitor in the LBJ School, and the eight years I squeezed out of the Institute for Latin American Studies as a research fellow. At the same time he, my wife Joan, and I had a good friendship that lasted to the end. When we were in Austin we had memorable dinners in our apartment with mutual friends; with Jim leading the conversation we happily stayed late in the night. Jim, Joan, and I were also all Anglophiles, and we enjoyed exchanging news of the London theatre and happenings in Britain. We miss our noble friend Jim and will continue to remember him with the deepest affection.
G. Pope Atkins
Annapolis, MD
Richard Lariviere
January 4, 2011
Jim Roach was one of the great gentlemen of the Academy. As a teacher, mentor, colleague, observer, and counselor he was unsurpassed. His generosity and his wry and gentle humor changed the lives of each of us lucky enough to have known him. His was a life well-lived. I miss his wisdom and his compassion.
Matthew Haltom
January 4, 2011
My father was a friend and student of Jim in the 1950's. I was a student, friend and employee of Jim's in the 1990's. Both of us enjoyed his insight and wit and appreciated his life's work. He will be greatly missed.
Jim Henderson
January 4, 2011
I came to the University of Texas at Austin in 1970 from rural New Mexico as a mathematics major interested in government. I took a course in US Foreign Policy from Jim Roach, and was in awe each time I came to class. His ability to connect with me and create this sense of engagement in foreign policy was amazing. As a result, I went on to take a government class each semester. Now as the dean of a college natural and social sciences, I often talk to the faculty in my college about what an impact one faculty member can have on a non-major because of Jim Roach. He was amazing.
December 27, 2010
As a young Government and History major in the tumultuous 1960s, Jim Roach stood out as one of the finest teachers I have ever known. His kind and gentle interest in students outside the classroom set an example for many. His lectures were thoughtful, always well organized and always fascinating. He exemplified what a great university and The University is all about. I shall always remember my avid enthusiasm for doing research papers for him. Thousands of students had a great University of Texas experience because they came to know and appreciate Dr. Jim Roach. Joe Krier (San Antonio, Texas)
Gretchen Millhollon
December 7, 2010
Jim was my Uncle, I can still remember being in awe of the stories, his travels. He taught me how to hold a fork the European way, brought me silk from India. Always tanned and in great physical condition. He was my hero. He was proud of of the Longhorns (smiles) at age 10 I had a full wardrobe of University attire. I miss those manual typed post cards. I was so blessed to have him in my life. Gretchen Roach-Millhollon
Helen Mulder
November 21, 2010
Jim Roach and I used to stroll through the British cemeteries in India together when my husband and I hosted his visits to Hyderabad. His lectures at the American Studies Research Centre where my husband was Director have remained with me for thirty years.
Helen Mulder (Mrs. William Mulder)
Salt Lake City, Utah
Clif Drummond
October 25, 2010
Dr. Jim Roach is that rarest of professors - of great character, robust enthusiasm freely shared, a true teacher (who knew whereof he spoke). Undoubtedly the best teacher I've ever had (and Lord knows I've had a few). His absence from the lectern has been and will continue to be greatly missed. Jim, you did indeed light many, many a candle. With great affection, Clif W Drummond
Ryan Barilleaux
September 5, 2010
I had the privilege of learning from and working for Prof. Roach during my graduate school years (1979-1983). His seminar on foreign policy was my first grad seminar and I was his TA and/or grader several times. He was a thorough professional and a gentleman. I learned much from him.
Gordon Appleman
September 1, 2010
Jim was a superstar, whom I kidded about being an absentee scholar because it seemed like every semester he was gone to India or some distant location, obviously to avoid students like me.
fenna vangelder klingberg
August 20, 2010
I graduted fromHigh School in Rock Rapids Iowa with Dr. James Roach. He was kind to everyone as I recall...we all knew he was "intelligent" His aunt was my algebra teacher ... she was a "gem" whom unfortunately I did not appreciate until I was a student at the University of Oregon..and remembered some of her talks with us outside of math. every Monday morning. Usually it covered a book or article she had read over the weekend..they shared their knowledge.
Everyone respected Jim and his Aunt Lena Roach. classmate of l940
Glenn Buchan
August 20, 2010
Dr. Roach was a dear friend and a principal mentor of mine. It was a privilege to have been his student and to have stayed in touch with him for the last 40 years. It was his influence that led me to choose the career path that I took. I tried to make him proud, and fear of not coming up to his very high standards tended to help me focus. (I recall reading a transcript of some Congressional testimony I had just given and thinking -- with some horror -- "Jim Roach would give me about a B- on this!") I will miss him.
Nancy McMeans Richey
August 17, 2010
When Jim Roach received a Pro Bene Meritis award from UT-Austin’s College of Liberal Arts in 1992-93, he said that one of the “satisfactions of maturity” was the number of students who still kept in touch. And he faithfully kept in touch himself—replying to letters in detail and if he hadn’t heard in a while he would write to inquire how you were doing. The first letters I ever got from Jim were from India when he was there and I was editor of the Daily Texan in 1956-57, letters we published in the Texan. Then around the turn of the century, circumstances led us to be in frequent correspondence, which was an enormous pleasure. His serious interests were seasoned with lovely humor and he was as interested in what I was doing and thinking as in his own topics. Sometimes his letters were typed, sometimes written by hand on many sides of yellow legal pad paper, and often he would send postcards. We shared a love of Barton Springs and he once wrote that the Springs “used to be my substitute for church on many a Sunday morning in olden times.” After I moved to Oregon, we talked on the phone. He ended a conversation saying, “Keep me on your Christmas card list.” I said, “I will keep you in my heart, Jim.” And so I have and shall.
Lyn Oglesby, Ph.D. 1985, B.A. 1956
August 16, 2010
Jim Roach inspired every student. I remember crashing registration a day early to make sure I got into one of his classes! His evenness and studious approaches to world issues prevented many of us from taking the easy way out and becoming ideologues. A couple of days ago while cleaning out old files and throwing stuff away, I came upon a postcard photo of Jim in his hiking gear in Switzerland. I kept it.
Reba Hoelscher Ott
August 16, 2010
I attended UT in l956-l96l. Dr. Roach was my supervising professor. He was a good man and great teacher.
Robert King
August 16, 2010
Jim Roach served the University well for many, many years, and he laid the groundwork for our leadership position today in South Asian Studies. We will all be well served if in his next reincarnation he returns just as he was in this one.
Bob King
Former Dean of Liberal Arts
August 16, 2010
"And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” Revelatin 21:4
Dennis Hickey
August 15, 2010
I am writing this note from East Asia. If not for Dr. Roach (my dissertation adviser), I would not be a professor who specializes in Sino-American relations. He was a great teacher, mentor and friend. Dr. Roach will be missed.
Dennis Hickey, Ph.D., 1988
August 15, 2010
I was saddened to learn of Jim Roach's death. His lectures were a highlight of my university experience. We are the poorer for his passing.
David McMeans BA '59 Plan II
John Gibson
August 15, 2010
Dr. Roach was quite possibly the best teacher I ever had - public school, graduate school, law school, and The University - the very best. He enriched the lives of thousands of his students. He was sui generis. I shall miss him.
Jean German
August 14, 2010
Jim Roach taught in a way that caused students to want more information about Asia. Many years after his class I went back to read his lectures on VietNam and found his warnings not to get involved.Too bad no one in power heard that.
An epitaph for a great teacher!
August 14, 2010
There is a suggestion for lighting a candle. Dr. Roach lit a candle for me many years ago and I followed it out into the world. I never forgot his lectures on India and remembered bits just a few months ago as my wife and I toured India for the first time. Thanks, Dr. Roach, for the knowledge and the curiosity bug you gave me as my personal faculty advisor. James E. Bridges, Class of 1960, Lt Col USAF (ret)
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