Dr. Dale A. Rouch MD

1954 - 2024

Loving husband, father, and grandfather. Survived by his wife: Dr. Debra (Conerty) Bergman Rouch. Children: Rachel Bergman (Mel Yanson), Dr. Joshua Rouch (Maeghan), Stephanie Rouch, Andrea Laxton (Ben), and Evan Bergman. Grandchildren Ian and Kai Yanson, Eleanor and Atlas Rouch and Everett Laxton. Siblings: Julian Rouch, Glenda Bogucki (Joe), Mary Sue DeLauter, Viola Woods, Larita Killian, Rosemarie Braz (Norm), Libby Christianson, and Dean Rouch. Adopted mother Judy Conerty.
Dale was born on a farm outside of Lakeville, IN, the 8th of 9 children. Preceding him in death are his parents, Clarence and Mary Jane Rouch, and adopted father Hugh Conerty. He graduated Valedictorian from LaVille High School in 1972, where he was inducted into the National Honor Society. He was awarded athlete of the year in high school, participating in basketball, baseball and cross country. He remained avidly involved in athletic pursuits throughout his life.
Dale graduated from Indiana University - Bloomington with Phi Beta Kappa honors and a degree in Biology in 1976. He attended Indiana University School of Medicine, graduating in 1980, and completed his General Surgery Residency at Methodist Hospital of Indiana in 1986. While in medical school, he was the recipient of the JK Berman Memorial Essay Award. He completed his hepatobiliary liver and kidney transplant fellowship at the University of Chicago in 1988. Dale started the Liver Transplant Program at Methodist Hospital of Indiana, performing the first liver transplant at Methodist Hospital and the 2nd in the State of Indiana. He performed over 200 liver transplants, as well as numerous liver and pancreatic surgeries for the treatment of cancer. The liver transplant was his favorite operation. He served as Director of the Indiana Organ Procurement Organization. He was Director of Surgery Residency Education at Methodist/Indiana University Hospitals. He was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honorary Medical Society. He received numerous teaching awards from the surgery residents as well as the family medicine department. He actively engaged in the training of medical students and surgical residents throughout his career. He was a recipient of the State of Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash award on May 14, 1998 for his contribution to the field of liver transplantation, awarded by Governor Frank O'Bannon and presented to Dale by Dr. Otis Bowen, then Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Ronald Reagan. Dr. Bowen was also Dale's family physician, having delivered him at birth.
Dale was an avid Indiana University supporter and member of the IU Varsity Club since 1980 having, and treating his family to, basketball and football season tickets since then. He and his family have been members of Crooked Stick Golf Club for over 30 years. He played golf with a passion, recently completing a trip to Scotland to golf with some of his closest friends.
Dale was passionate about skiing, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking in Beaver Creek, Colorado with the love of his life, Debbie, his children and friends. He enjoyed traveling the world with his wife, and making sure that his children and grandchildren were able to experience that with them. Dale lived his life with exuberance and passion, never missing a chance to celebrate life's big and small moments of joy with his wife, family and friends. We now live by his gracious example, continuing his dreams.
We appreciate the care he received from Dr. Andrew Greenspan (Indiana University), Dr. Jennifer Woyach (Ohio State University), and Dr. Evandro Bezerra (Ohio State University), as well as the staff at the James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State University.
Funeral Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, at Flanner Buchanan – Hamilton Memorial Park (Prairie Waters). Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. with a Rosary service at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. There will be an additional visitation from 1 p.m. until the time of service Thursday.
Memorial contributions can be made to the following organizations: Samaritans Purse, Wheeler Mission, Leukemia And Lymphoma Society, and Catholic Charities.
Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.flannerbuchanan.com.