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- November 23, 2005
Van De Hey, Roche J. "Bud" Roche J. "Bud" Van De Hey, age 87, of Sutherlin, OR, passed away Monday, November 21, 2005. He was born in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, on January 17, 1918, to Jack and Josephine (Zwick) Van De Hey. Roche married Arvilla Kempen in Hollandtown, Wisconsin, on June 18, 1940. In 1943, Roche started work in assembly at Manitowoc Engineering Corporation in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Along with many accomplishments he designed the VICON controlled torque converter and after 23 years as Chief Development Engineer he left Manitowoc Engineering. Roche served his country during World War II at which time he had seven military deferments because of the importance of his job building submarines for the war effort. Roche was well traveled and considered Oregon "God's Country." He moved his family to Sutherlin, Oregon, in 1966 to start V & W Manufacturing and later Van De Hey Track Transport in Oakland, Oregon. He was a pioneer in the development of the track transporter responsible for the sea lift of modules on the North Slope of the Alaska oil fields. These huge machines that transported multi-ton loads went on to be used in nuclear power plants and mining industries world wide. Roche was a creative inventor and introduced new lift crane concepts with telescopic booms and hydraulic expanded crawlers. Roche was instrumental in the development and later owned and operated the Sutherlin Knolls Golf Course, restaurant and lounge. He was a member of the Sutherlin Lions Club, Catholic Knights and was chosen Citizen of the Year by the Sutherlin Chamber of Commerce in 1976. He enjoyed fishing, crabbing, traveling and trips to Seven Feathers Casino. Roche is survived by his 11 children; four sons: Dick (Mona), Butch, and Gerald (Judy) of Eugene, Oregon; and Lee (Angie) Van De Hey of Oakland, Oregon; seven daughters: Sandra (Richard), Brady, Donna (Robert), Elliott of Salem; Penny (Dennis) Towne, Debra (Herman) Stonebraker of Lake Oswego; Kim (John) Hensley of Eugene; Pamela Hennricks and Rochelle (Mark) Cornilsen of Oakland, Oregon; 22 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; three brothers: Robert (Rita) Van De Hey, Lloyd (Pat) Van De Hey and Conrad (Dorothy) Van De Hey; and four sisters: Majella Ambrosius, Kathy (Russ) Beck, Theresa Mae Eiting and Marie (Dick) Reetz. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Arvilla; and a brother, Elmer Van De Hey of Wisconsin. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. followed by the Rosary and Funeral Service at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 26, 2005, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Sutherlin, Oregon. Those who wish may make a contribution to the Sutherlin Lions Club, through the Chapel of the Firs. Chapel of the Firs, Sutherlin, OR, is assisting the family with arrangements.
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1918 - 2005 (87 years)
