Dedicated teacher and inspirational field geologist
Robert (Bob) Roach was born in Llanbadrach, South Wales, and attended Caerphilly Grammar School, where he was encouraged to study geology. He obtained his BSc and PhD at the University of Nottingham. His PhD involved mapping the Island of Guernsey, work that later expanded into a major research project. After graduation, Bob’s first job was with the Geological Survey of Canada, in Ottawa, where he met Marian, who later became his wife. He then accepted a teaching post at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he and Marian were married.
Left: Bob Roach. Image courtesy of Carla Roach.
Volcanic studies
In 1960, Bob was appointed to the teaching staff at Keele University (then the University College of North Staffordshire), initially to teach mineralogy. His early research focussed on the igneous rocks of southwest Wales, including the St. David’s Head intrusion and the Fishguard Volcanic Group. He was an enthusiastic member of the Society’s Volcanic Studies Group and participated in many excursions. Bob was one of an early group of geologists who realised the significance of pyroclastic flow deposits (ignimbrites) in the volcanic sequences of Snowdonia.
Teaching and research
Bob’s early interest in the geology of the Channel Islands led him to northwest France, where he and his PhD students mapped a large part of the Cadomian and Variscan metamorphic basement. This research produced many key ideas and papers, which guided research into this region for many years and have stood the test of time. Bob was well respected by French researchers and internationally renowned as a keen observer of detail and a consummate field geologist. A typical field day with Bob involved a leisurely start, but this was often balanced by finishing the day’s geology by torch light, followed by detailed geological discussions into the small hours, aided by fine French wine.
Bob took his teaching role very seriously, and would spend much time preparing lectures and laboratory demonstrations. He was a firm believer in the value of fieldwork in teaching geology, and that students should experience the joys of camping to prepare themselves for serious exploration. In 1965, Bob and I took our small class of five students on a ten-day excursion to the Pyrenees with just a Landrover and my own car. From these humble beginnings grew the series of annual overseas field excursions experienced by generations of Keele University geology students. Bob could never resist the temptation to acquire a rock sample, and on his retirement, a large part of the Keele University rock store was occupied by his trophies.
Retirement
After taking early retirement in 1992, Bob devoted much of his time to the North Staffordshire Geologists’ Association. His interests extended well beyond geology, to include a number of local history, industrial archaeology, and mining societies, where his support will be greatly missed. Bob will be remembered with affection by his many friends and former students.
By Graham Park (with assistance from Rob Strachan, Richard Bevins, and Bob’s family)