| LAURENT
LaROCHE ATLANTIC BEACH, FL Dr. Laurent Pierrepont La Roche, 83, formerly of Greensboro, North Carolina and Cocoa Beach, Florida, died Monday, September 19, 2005 at his residence in Atlantic Beach, Florida. Dr. La Roche was born on November 28, 1921, in Fort Dix, New Jersey. He received his B.S. from the College of Charleston in 1942. He entered the service during World War II as an aviation cadet and later served four years in the Air force as a bombardier-navigator-radar officer and a flight instructor. After the service he attended the Medical University of South Carolina, where he received his M.D. in 1951. He interned at Orange Memorial Hospital in Orlando, Florida. In 1953, he began his private practice at the Kenaston Clinic in Cocoa, Florida. From 1954-1974, he served as Medical Director of the Cape Canaveral Missile Eastern Test Range and the Kennedy Space Center. In 1955, he also became the Chief Medical Director of Pan American World Airways. He served as the Senior Aviation Medical Examiner for the FAA. He was the personal physician for many of NASAs astronauts. He was a recipient of a Certificate of Merit from NASA, Apollo, and Kennedy Space Center Achievement Award. In 1956, Dr. La Roche and twelve of his colleagues from the surrounding area funded and built the Cape Canaveral Hospital in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Dr. La Roche served on the Board of Directors for 17 years and as President of the Board for 8 years. He was also a founding director of the First National Bank of Cape Canaveral. As a Clinical Instructor, Dr. La Roche taught at the University of Florida Medical School, the School of Aerospace Medicine, and Emory University School of Medicine. He was also a Lecturer at the Miami University School of Medicine. In 1973, Dr. La Roche resigned from the Space Center to become the Medical Director of Western Electric, Atlanta Works. In 1977, he moved to Greensboro, North Carolina, to become the Southern Regional Medical Director for AT&T Health Affairs. He retired from AT&T in 1988. He became a consul tant for Southern Bell and the Department of Energy, in helping to establish higher quality medical facilities for their employees. He also worked as a Clinic Physician for the Health and Hygiene Clinic in Greensboro until his final retirement at age 75 in 1996. Dr. La Roche was a licensed physician in Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina. He was a Fellow of the American College of Occupational Medicine. He was a Fellow of the College of Preventive Medicine. He was a Member of the American Medical Association and the Carolina Occupational Med ical Association. He was past President of the Florida Occu pational Medical Association, past President of the Georgia Occupational Medical Associ ation, a past Member of the Florida Industrial Commission for Safety, past Member of the Georgia State Board of Work ers Compensation, past Member of the Preventive Medicine Council of AMA, a Diplomat of the American Board of Preventive Medicine, a Member of the Presidents Committee for Preventing Dis ease and Promoting Health Objectives for the Nation, and Certified in Occupational Medicine. He was the first President of the Family Serv ices Bureau for Brevard County, Florida and a Board of Director for the Brevard County Heart Foundation. Dr. La Roche was a Mem ber of St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Greensboro, North Carolina for 27 years. He was a member of their Mens Club. He was also a lifetime Honorary Member of the Kiwanis Club and the Shep herds Club. Dr. La Roche was prede ceased by his parents, Dr. Laurent L. La Roche and Roma Pierrepont La Roche, his first wife, Mary Wynkoop La Roche and his second wife, Nancie Fox La Roche. Family members include his eight children, Christine La Roche Zack and husband Terry, Laurent Pierrepont La Roche, Jr., Ransom La Roche Friedman and husband Bill, Dale Fox Reed, Jeffrey Fox Reed and wife Kathy, Thomas Neal La Roche and wife Tammy Jo, Nancilynn La Roche Southworth and hus band Bill, and Cally La Roche Phillips and husband Justin. Dr. La Roche has 15 grand children and two great-grand children. Other family members include his sister, Harriett Linnell and his brother Ernest La Roche and his wife Betty. There will be a funeral serv ice for Dr. La Roche on Fri day, September 23, 2005 at 3 p.m. in the St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Greens boro, North Carolina. There will be a reception immediate ly following the service at the church. A funeral service on Monday, September 26, 2005 at 11 a.m. in the St. Lukes Episcopal Church in Merritt Island, Florida. There will be a reception immediately follow ing the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contribu tions be made to the National Parkinsons Foundation or the St. Andrews Urn Garden Fund. Arrangements under the di rection and care of Quinn- Shalz, A Family Funeral Home, Jacksonville Beach, FL (904) 249-1100. |
