Thomas Patrick Roche, Jr., 89, passed away on May 3, 2020. Tom received his bachelor's degree from Yale University in 1953. He earned a master's degree and a PhD in English from Princeton University in 1958 and was appointed to be a professor in 1960. Until 2003, he was the Murray Professor of English Literature at Princeton. He was Visiting Professor at ASU in 2006, then taught at University of Notre Dame and John Carroll University until his death. He was a foremost expert in epic poetry and published several books on the topic.



Thomas is survived by his husband, Robert H. "Bo" Smith, a sister, three nieces, two grandnieces and a grandnephew.  He was predeceased by a sister. A memorial service will be planned when it is appropriate for people to gather. Memorial contributions can be made to the Department of English, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, the Department of English at John Carroll University, University Heights, OH 44118, or any local animal shelter. (Source: ASU Foundation)