Herschel Neil Roach

Neil was born in Wellington, Kansas, on July 8, 1941. He grew up in Wichita and Anthony, Kansas and graduated from Anthony High School as a three-sport athlete and an Eagle Scout. He attended Kansas State Teacher’s College (now Emporia State University) where he was student body president, graduating with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business and English. It was there he met Carol (Harbour) Roach, whom he married in 1966.

After Neil received his law degree from KU, he and Carol moved back to Emporia, Ks. There Neil was in private practice for 20 years and their two boys, Noel and Tony, were born. In 1989 the family moved to Topeka where Neil became the Chief of Litigation for the city. He then served for ten years as Topeka’s Administrative Municipal Court judge before retiring in 2002.

Neil will be remembered by all who knew him as a funny, intelligent, kind, humble (and, let’s be honest, occasionally mildly cantankerous) husband, father, grandfather and friend. He loved to read and collect books, to watch Clint Eastwood movies, and to attend the many sporting events of his sons and later his three grandsons. He was also a lifelong fan of the Chiefs, Jayhawks, and Hornets.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carol; his son Noel (Tracy) and grandsons Dylan, Gage, and AJ; his son Tony; and his younger sister, Patricia Shrack (Kipp), of Colorado Springs, CO.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Neil Roach Memorial ℅ Emporia State University Foundation: 1500 Highland St.Emporia, KS 66801.