Douglas A. Roach, 88 of Battle Creek, passed away Monday, May 21, 2012 at the Calhoun County Medical Care Facility. Doug was born April 24, 1924 in Delavan, Wisconsin to Earl and Gladys (Mills) Roach. At the age of 12, Doug moved with his family to Union City then on to Battle Creek. Doug graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1942. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in March of 1943 and attained the rank of Gunners Mate 1st class. He served in the North Atlantic aboard the USS Wilhoite Destroyer Escort 397. After his honorable discharge from the Navy on November 7, 1945, Doug joined the Battle Creek Fire Department. During his 42 year career he was promoted to Lieutenant, Captain, and Battalion Chief and in 1993 received the honor of being made Fire Chief. His many accomplishments for the fire department included upgrading the training level, upgrading the firefighting equipment, helping implement the First Responders System; he promoted instant command for the emergency disaster response team. Doug made two trips to the National Fire Academy to plan disaster control under the auspices of F.E.M.A. He retired from the Fire Department in 1988. Doug was a life member of Western Michigan’s Fire Chief Association and Michigan’s Fire Chief’s Association. After retirement from the Fire Department, Doug operated his own home remodeling business. He retired again in 2001. Doug was a member of Westlake Presbyterian Church for over 40 years. He served as an Elder for 30 years, taught Sunday school, was a Boy Scout Webelos leader. He also helped organize the Wednesday Morning Men’s Group, and the Wednesday Night Family Supper Group. In 2007, he was recognized by the Enquirer and News for cooking over 500 Wednesday night suppers. He was a life member of the Lakeview Lions Club. His hobbies included gardening, playing bridge and travel. Doug was an avid baseball and softball fan. He helped organize and played in, The Men’s Ascot Softball League of Michigan. In later years, he played with the Battle Creek Rec Group (ages 75 and older), which included Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. He played until he was 85 years old. In 2003, Doug married Barbara Pitkethly, who survives. Also surviving are five children from his first marriage to Ida Kerelak (deceased); Patricia (Robert) Lewallen, Jeanne (Michael) Bradish, Carolyn (John) Elston, Kathleen (Michael) Hall, and Douglas F. Roach; two step-sons from his second marriage to Phyllis Heppler, Jeff (Judy) Heppler and Wes Heppler; and two step-daughters from his marriage to Barbara Pitkethly, Sara (Dave) Paulson and Martha (Tom) Chalifoux, 14 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; sisters Dorothy McElwain and Doreen Perez, and brother Dennis. He was preceded in death by his parents, his step father Layton Severance, and brother Donald and Darrell. The family will receive friends on Friday, June 8, 2012 at the Westlake Presbyterian Church, beginning at 10:00 a.m. followed by the Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. A private interment will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Westlake Presbyterian Church, Calhoun County Medical Care Facility or the Battle Creek Lions Club Blind and Sight Conservation Foundation. Arrangements by the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home. www.henryfuneralhome.org
