Bernard Roach, (Bernie) 81, N.E. 21st Street passed away Sunday, August 7th at 8:50am. He was born March 2nd, 1930 to Orval and Vinia Roach as the 4th of 10 children, Bernie's story is one most people don't know. He left high school at age 16 to join the U.S. Army and was shipped to Alaska following boot camp. Returning to Washington in 1948, he married Edith Seal of Cannelburg on July 2nd, 1949 and they went on to have (7) children. While raising those children with his spouse on Everett Lane in the 1950s and 60s, Bernie worked at the B & O railroad, completed his high school education through the GED program, coached little league baseball at Harmon Field, started buying rental properties, attended St. Simon's Church and always had a dream of owning his own business. He purchased his first house by age (21) and continued working at B & O until 1965 and Railway until 1968. . Since real estate investing was always a passion, Mr. Roach decided to get his real estate salesperson's license in 1968 and shortly thereafter also passed the real estate broker's exam. He went on to open his own office and in 1970 partnered with Bill Thomas to form Roach & Thomas Real Estate & Construction. Together, they built more than (30) homes in Daviess County, remodeled numerous commercial buildings and homes from 1970 to 1975 and he continued to act as a broker on hundreds of real estate transactions. After their partnership dissolved, Bernie formed Roach Real Estate and continued to build and sell houses. However, his most notable real estate accomplishment was when he worked for two years to convince McDonalds Corp. to open a Golden Arches location on Highway 50 in 1978 to start what later became known as "Fast Food Row." After landing McDonalds, Mr. Roach also brought in Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Super Car Wash to finish off the project. His office grew to over 10 sales associates and staff and in 1981 he joined the nationally known ERA Real Estate Group. He went on to open a second location in Jasper, Indiana which was managed by Brenda White. Always an educator with a positive attitude, Bernie also taught his children the importance of understanding real estate and four of his seven children still hold a real estate license to this day. From 1968 to his retirement in 1998, Bernie facilitated the sale of: over (1500) homes and (40) farms, numerous commercial buildings throughout Daviess, Knox, Martin, Pike and Dubois Counties, built over (50) homes and brought McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Swifty Gas Station to Washington. After his retirement from real estate, he worked part time as the Northside Elementary Crossing Guard and as a parts delivery associate with McAllister Machinery delivering parts to various coal mines in Southern Indiana. Bernie was proceeded in death by his spouse of 50 years, Edith Roach; parents: Orval & Vinia Roach; brothers: Orval Jr., Tom, & Bob Roach; Sisters: Alice Robinson & Jan Guy; infant siblings John & Barbara Roach; grandchildren: Stephanie & Kimberly Cox. Surviving Children are: Jane Gerber, John & Janie Roach, Jim & Barb Roach and Kathy Mider, all of Washington, Don Roach of Terre Haute, Debbie Walton of Columbus, IN, Jeff & Rowena Roach of Indianapolis; Grandchildren: Travis, Ryan, Derek, Jennifer Walton and Mykala Matheny; Jeremy, Jason, Jarod Roach & Justi Armes; Ashley & Zach Gerber; Colby & Chad Roach; Brandy Dant and Joshua Roach; Kyle Mider & Brandi Tell. Great grandchildren: Ashton, Alyssa & Olivia Gerber; Kerstin Burks, Jadalyn Wininger, Jaddison Walls, Ethan & Jena Roach; Paige & Braydon Dant; Lily, Trevor, & Joy Walton; Corbin, Noah, Shawn, Riley and Zach Roach; Braden Bayless. Sisters: Nancy Guy and Linda Dinkens of Washington; Sister-in-law: Gertrude (Trudy) Miller of Cannelburg. Mr. Roach will be buried next to his wife Edith at St. John's Cemetery in Washington. Viewing will be at Ed Lee Mortuary on Thursday, August 11th, from 4 pm to 8pm and the funeral will be Friday, August 12th, 10 am, at Our Lady of Hope in Washington. Burial will immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to the Washington Catholic Education Endowment Fund or the local food bank. The family would like to say "THANK YOU" to everyone that has touched our Dad's life over the years.He loved living in Washington and he loved his family and friends