A Tribute to Jim Roche Written by Adam Garfinkle
Written by Adam Garfinkle
When Jim Roche passed away on August 4th, the country lost a great patriot, and I lost a friend. He was the kind of person everyone should have as a friend: he was loyal, trustworthy, willing to listen, and would never shy away from offering unsolicited advice if he thought you needed some, which I often did. His advice could sting, and that made him a perfect friend: he was fair and honest. He did not “pull his punches.”
Jim and I knew each other for over 40 years. Andy Marshall introduced us in his office, and Jim, with a minimum of small talk, began explaining to me the importance of my role in the office. Andy stood there with what I came to recognize as serious but smiling eyes and a sly smile. Even though I had only met Andy for a short interview to join his office, those eyes made it obvious how close Jim and Andy were, and over 40 years, I learned just how close, personally and intellectually, they really were. Although they did not look alike and had different life experiences and personalities — one talked more than the other, but both listened intently — when it came to strategic thinking and strategy, they were twin brothers of different mothers.
Jim held two doctorates: business administration and life. Both served him exceptionally well as he navigated two important but unforgiving bureaucracies — the U.S. Government and the Defense Industry. What made him successful was his willingness to do the right thing regardless of its potential impact on him: he ran to a problem, never away from it. A strategic thinker, a strategist, a mentor, a brother, and a friend. Who could ask for more? Not me.
I miss you, Jim.
-Jaymie Durnan
AWMF Co-Founder and Chair