Page created by: Kelly Claude

Robert (Bob/Bobby) Alfred Laroche, 80, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2024, at Greenville Nursing and Rehab Center, in Greenville, FL.

He was born on June 25, 1943, in St. Albans, Vermont, to Donat Joseph Laroche and Laurette Theresa St. Martin Laroche. He lived his early life in St. Albans, VT, graduating from high school at Bellows Free Academy in 1961. He went on to go to college at St. Michael’s College, and then University of Detroit, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 1967. After college, he had a few smaller jobs before spending 30 years working for the Air Force Department of Defense, from which he retired in 1995.

Bob married his high school girlfriend, Paulette Desmarais, whom he had met at a street fair in 1959. They were married on May 29, 1965, and were together almost 59 years until his passing. They lived in five states: Michigan, Indiana, Vermont, New York, and Florida.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Bob was known for his love of early rock and roll music, particularly Buddy Holly. He approached every aspect of life with a sense of purpose, touching the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. His hobbies included woodworking and collecting vinyl records and model trains.

He was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2013, and despite a fierce fight for independence, required full-time care beginning in 2022, after multiple hospital stays.

Bob is survived by his wife, Paulette Laroche, his sister, Marguerite LaPointe, three daughters, Kelly Claude, Kristy Wicker, and Kim Gray, 15 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren, who will continue to cherish his memory and carry forward his legacy. He is preceded in death by one son, Kevin Laroche, and by his brother, Raymond Laroche.

In the words of Buddy Holly, “I’d rather be remembered for the things I did, than the things I said.” In the words of Paul Harvey, who Bob was also fond of listening to, “and that’s the rest of the story.” Bob will be remembered fondly and missed deeply.