Renowned Expert in Law of the Sea
1939 – 2024

Captain J. Ashley "Ash" Roach, beloved husband, father, grandfather, expert in law of the sea, and retired officer of the US Navy Judge Advocate General Corps, passed away peacefully at home with his family on August 20, 2024, at the age of 85.
Ash was married for 47 years to Pamela Shippen Patterson "Pam" Roach who preceded him in death. Devoted father of Elizabeth "Liz" and her husband Robert "Rob" Albro of Arlington, VA; Christina "Tina" Roach and her husband Scott Presson of Silver Spring, MD; and Ashley and his wife Marion "Mimi" Roach of Denver, CO. Loving grandfather of Jonas Albro of Brooklyn, NY; Madeline "Maddie" Albro and her husband Joseph Ravan of Quincy, MA; Ezekiel "Zeke" Albro of Chicago, IL; Delaney and Eliza Roach of Denver, CO. Brother-in-law of Elise and her husband William Gelpi-Toro of Bronxville, NY. All were a source of great pride and joy in his life.
Born January 22, 1939, in Philadelphia, PA, the son of esteemed architects, historic preservationists, and genealogists, Franklin Spencer and Hannah Benner Roach, Ash graduated from Central High School in 1956. Ash earned both his B.A. (American civilization, 1960) and his J.D.(1963) at the University of Pennsylvania. He received his LL.M. (public international law and comparative law) from the George Washington University School of Law in 1971.
After receiving his J.D., Ash embarked on a 25-year US naval career with posts in Newport, RI; Yokosuka, Japan; Holy Loch, Scotland; San Diego, CA; and the Washington, DC area. Ash continued his public service as an attorney adviser in the Office of the Legal Adviser, US State Department, responsible for law of the sea matters. He retired from public service in January 2009. He taught, advised and published globally on national maritime claims and other law of the sea issues. He negotiated, and participated in the negotiation of, numerous international agreements involving law of the sea issues. After retiring, he concentrated his intellectual gaze on piracy, the Arctic, BBNJ Agreement, and island-dispute issues. One of his most enduring contributions was his co-authorship with Dr. Robert W. Smith of the seminal work Excessive Maritime Claims, which has been an essential reference for legal scholars, policymakers, and practitioners worldwide. He relished his role as colleague, teacher, and mentor.
Ash was a devoted Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies fan. He was an avid stamp collector and expanded the family's genealogical history begun by his mother. He was a long-time usher and member of The Falls Church, later The Falls Church Anglican.
A funeral service will be held on October 22, 2024, at 1 p.m. at The Falls Church Anglican, 6565 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, VA 22042. The family will receive guests in the parish hall after the service. Interment will occur at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to the American Society of International Law (https://www.asil.org/financial-support/financial-support), American Lung Association (https://www.lung.org/), or Capital Caring (https://capitalcaring-tributelights.funraise.org/). Online condolences may be made at www.adventfuneral.com.

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Published by The Washington Post on Sep. 1, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Roach

6 Entries

Ginny and Kathy Zink

October 26, 2024

Liz, Ashley, Tina, and Mimi, we are very sad for your loss. What a life well-led and I remember that your parents were loving and well-loved. Hugs and prayers for you each, with love, Ginny and Kathy Zink xo

Kristine Elfrida Dalaker

October 2, 2024

Ash was my friend, colleague, and cherished mentor. He was generous in sharing his passion for the law of the sea with me. I will forever treasure the time we spent together at the UN in New York at the BBNJ negotiations. I learned so much from watching him work and critically reflect on the status of the discussions.

Ash and I also spent a lot of time together editing books and reports. His attention to detail was unmatched. I especially enjoyed working with him on the editing of Dr Lewis M. Alexander´s book entitled, "Navigational Restrictions within the New LOS Context: Geographical Implications for the United States". I greatly admired his commitment to bringing this important resource to a wider audience.

Rest in peace, Ash. You will be greatly missed.

With my deepest condolences to his family,

Kristine Elfrida (Kraabel) Dalaker

John Sandage

September 9, 2024

I worked with Ash when we were both in State/Legal and then, when I joined the UN, I brought him in as an expert when we set up our programs on Somali piracy. He was a gentleman and a scholar. And a respected and valued colleague by just about everyone he ever met. May his memory be a blessing to his family.

Mark Simonoff

September 3, 2024

My deep condolences to Ash Roach's family. Ash and I worked together for many years in the Office of Legal Adviser of the State Department. I learned an enormous amount from Ash on all matters related to the law of the sea. Ash was a treasured institution at "L/OES" and a wonderful colleague, full of wisdom and insight. He shall be missed.

Pete Hewett, CAPT/JAGC/USN (ret)

September 3, 2024

My sincere condolences to Ash´s family. Your Dad lead a most interesting, challenging and rewarding life. May God bless and welcome him home.

Prof (em.) Rüdiger Wolfrum, Judge

September 3, 2024

We have been working together for many years and I shall miss his insight and advice. We last met I believe on Cyprus by chance I believe 5 years ago. I shall keep a fond memory and will refer to him in one of my coming writings.
Rüdiger Wolfrum (Prof. em, Germany)

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