Dear All,
It is with great sadness that we bring you the terrible news of the death of our dear friend and colleague John Roche.
Dr John was a brilliant Structural Engineer and an even better person. He was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy in his teens and the condition deteriorated over the years. Despite that condition John continued with life where he graduated from UCD in Engineering top of his class. He then did a PhD in Cambridge where his work won him a number of academic awards. He began his career as a Structural Engineer with ESBI, before joining PUNCH in 2000.
As a Structural Engineer, John was regularly presented with the most complex technical challenges we had. And John solved them all, through a combination of his immense talent and his absolute dogged determination that no technical challenge would get the better of him, and none ever did.
In his work he always came up with new ways to overcome the physical challenges his condition presented. And he never once complained about his lack of good fortune, but simply got on with life and enjoyed it as best he could.
John was also involved in a number of charitable organizations, including serving as Chair of Muscular Dystrophy Ireland, an organization he was deeply passionate about.
As well as being a wonderful work colleague, John was an even better friend. Full of wisdom, charm, kindness, along with incredible wit.
We pass on our heartfelt condolences to his mother Renate, children Adrienn and Attarra plus extended family and friends.
Rest in peace John and we are all so much the better for having known you.
This is a beautiful poem that John’s Mom sent to us as a reminder of how we should all remember John:
Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
(Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!)
