Dr. Richard Wayne Roach

Dr. Richard Wayne Roach, 98, of Sunnyside, beloved husband, father, friend and physician went to be with the Lord on November 14, 2025.

Rick or Richard, as his mother called him, was born the eldest of three children on April 18, 1927 in Maywood, Nebraska to Richard Leon and Evalyn Mae (Rowin) Roach. He graduated early from high school and enlisted in the U.S. Navy.  He served as a Radarman Third Class during WWII from 1944-1946 and was stationed aboard the Cimarron-class oil tanker USS Chuckawan.

Following his military service, Rick attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, married, and started a family. He went on to earn his Doctor of Medicine from Creighton University School of Medicine in 1954.  He first began his career as a medical doctor in Nebraska, then in California, when he remarried, and eventually moved to Washington, settling in Sunnyside where he hung out his shingle for the next 40 years!  Dr. Roach was very well thought of and respected by his many patients who appreciated his professional, caring, no-nonsense approach to addressing their medical concerns.

In 1981 Rick married LuAnn and over their 44 year marriage, they worked together and enjoyed traveling to places like Mexico, Lake Chelan, as well as taking several fishing trips in their motor home to various lakes and dams.

He belonged to St. Joseph Catholic Church where he sang in the choir and participated as a lector. He earned his private pilot’s license and enjoyed flying, skiing, sailing, playing his ukulele, and being a gentleman farmer.

Rick is survived by his loving wife, LuAnn. He is also survived by his children, Charlotte (Dan) Haugland, Margie Cronin (Ray) Salis, Mary Beth (Ray) Scalise, Mary Jane (John) Scheenstra, Joe (Debbie) Roach, Sarah (Tony) Wimmer, and Jon Dowdy, and Janene Palomarez. He is also survived by his sister Shirley (William) McCaffrey.  He was blessed with 20 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, and five nieces. He was preceded in death by his brother, Jerry Roach; son, Richard Patrick Roach; and son, John Martin Roach.

Viewing and visitation will be held on Friday, November 28, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary to be recited at 6:00 p.m. at the Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside WA   Funeral Liturgy with Military Honors will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside, WA.    Those wishing to sign Richard's online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Those wishing to honor his memory may contribute to Lower Valley Heartlinks Hospice.  Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.  

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