Robert David Roach, 67 of Longwood, FL, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on March 7, 2023. Bob had recently been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and received a successful bone marrow transplant from his son, Mike. Sadly, in his weakened state he contracted pneumonia and was not able to rebound from it. He was born in Johnson City, TN on March 25, 1955 to John and Josephine Roach who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by brothers John and Jim Roach.
Bob attended Science Hill High School and developed a passion for lighting working with his Uncle George, lighting shows at the Appalachian Fair in Gray, TN. He would then launch his career working on the road with TERI Productions in Knoxville, TN where he spent several years traveling the country and the world lighting shows for ZZ Top, Waylon Jennings, and countless others. Bob owned his own business, Lights Up, Inc. in the 1980’s where he provided theatrical lighting for the 1982 World’s Fair while mentoring and helping launch the career of several in the lighting industry. He later worked for Knoxville Scenic Studios and Electronic Theater Controls (ETC). He began working for SESCO Lighting shortly after relocating to the Orlando, FL area and recently celebrated his 24th anniversary of employment with his SESCO family.
Bob was very much a “MacGyver” and those who knew him can attest to his ability to problem solve and fix almost anything. He felt very strongly about supporting others and there are countless stories of those who he helped through mentoring, employment opportunities, and support in the lighting profession.
Bob was kind, generous, and honest. Family meant everything to Bob, and he loved and supported them throughout his life. He was active in youth sports with his son Mike and supported his wife Leila in furthering her education. He was passionate about the mountains, hiking, yard projects, and training his dogs. He cherished the annual family trips to the mountains in the western U.S. and Switzerland for hiking, camping, biking, and summiting a few of the Colorado 14ers. He lived life to the fullest, believing that one should not wait to travel and embrace the experiences life had to offer. He encouraged others to do the same.
Bob is survived by his beloved German Shepherds, Zeus and Hazel; wife of 42 years, Leila Roach; son, Michael Roach; daughter-in-law, Natasha Ellison Roach; sister, Josephine Hemphill; brother-in-law, Chris Hemphill, and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Behind the Scenes https://wp.behindthescenescharity.org/ an organization that provides financial support to entertainment technology industry professionals, or their immediate dependent family members, who are seriously ill or injured. Their Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative provides tools and resources to support entertainment industry workers and promote mental health and psychological safety. Donations can also be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or a charity of your choice.
Editor’s Note: I met Bob when we both worked at ETC in the early 1990’s. Bob was the Regional Sales Manager for the Southeast and I was the RSM for the Midwest. This was when the Obsession, Sensor dimmers, and a little light called the Source Four ERS was introduced. Each of the Sales Managers had one Source Four and a set of lens tubes that we traveled our regions with doing demos and shootouts. A large theme park in Florida wanted to know what kind of IP rating the Source Four had and how it would perform out of doors in a very humid, wet environment. When the factory could not supply the answer fast enough, Bob rigged his one and only light on a C-Stand out on his deck in the rain and poured water over it. Fred Foster thought that Bob’s methodology wasn’t too sound and he needed to document the flow rate of the water and find more answers. Essentially have Bob stand out in the rain for a longer time!
I miss seeing Bob at the various tradeshows and we had lost touch. I send my sincere condolences to his wife Leila, his son Michael, Zeus and Hazel, and all his family, friends, and colleagues. Requiescat in Pace, Bob! – Michael S. Eddy
