The Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation’s Founding President Doug Roach passed away peacefully on Friday, July 12, 2019, at the age of 88.
A Martinsburg native, Doug was born to the late Ralph Mark “Mickey” Roach and Virginia Baker Roach on July 7, 1931. Doug graduated from Martinsburg High School in 1949, attended University of Virginia and graduated from Shepherd College in 1953.
He served in the United States Army from 1953-1955 after which he began a successful career with R.M. Roach and Sons.
In 1956, Doug returned to Martinsburg to join his mother and father in the family business, selling home heating fuels in the eastern panhandle. The business grew and prospered under his leadership, with the help of his brother Don. Doug retired in 1996 after 40 years of active service in the petroleum industry. The family business continues today with the same principals and concern for the community at large.
In addition to his professional life, Doug was a dedicated public servant to his community. One of his proudest accomplishments was as the founding President of the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation. He also served as a member and President of the Berkeley County Board of Education from 1975-1986, member of the Martinsburg Rotary Club for over 50 years and a Paul Harris Fellow since 1991. Doug was a member of the Issac Walton League, participated in the development and support of many organizations that supported our community such as C-CAP, United Way and Boy Scouts, as well as a founding Director of the West Virginia Petroleum Marketers Association and an honorary board member of many other organizations.
Doug was a faithful member of Otterbein United Methodist Church for over 60 years.
When Doug was not busy otherwise, he could be found in the outdoors. He enjoyed golfing, hunting and had a contagious love of fishing and outdoor adventure. He enjoyed taking friends on long, curvy road trips through his home state of which he was very proud.
He is survived by his sons, Stan and wife, Sarah, Steve and wife, Tina and Scott and wife, Linda; daughter, Terri Rotunda and husband Joe, of Greensboro, North Carolina; grandchildren Josiah Corwin-Roach, Jason Roach and wife, Marlana, Matt Roach and wife, Kelly, Anthony, Alec, Maggie, Maria and Molly Rotunda; three great-grandchildren Alivia and Weston Roach and Cora Roach; sister-in-law Polly Roach ; brother-in-law Jake Gruver and wife, Carol; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, close friends and all their families.
Doug was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Joan Roach; brother, Don Roach and foster daughter, Rene Dotson Prichard.
Family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 18, 2019 at Brown Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, July 19, 2019 at Otterbein United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Patricia Sebring officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation in the Doug and Joan Roach Visionary Fund, 229 E. Martin Street, Suite 4, Martinsburg, WV 25401