Tulsa World: Ex-Mapco exec David Roach dies

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Ex-Mapco exec David Roach dies

ROSE THROUGH THE RANKS
David Arthur Roach: The Nebraska native moved to Bartlesville in 1949, where he worked for Phillips Petroleum Co. as chief engineer, and later vice president. In 1960 he moved to Tulsa to become the first employee of Mid-America Pipeline Co., later Mapco, eventually becoming its executive vice president. He retired in 1983.

By Staff Reports
Published: 8/1/2009 2:24 AM
Last Modified: 8/1/2009 4:47 AM

David Arthur Roach, retired executive vice president of Mapco, died Thursday. He was 90.

A memorial service is set for 11 a.m. Monday at the First United Methodist Church under the direction of Freeman Harris Funeral Home.

Roach was born Sept. 11, 1918, in Haigler, Neb. He attended the University of Nebraska, graduating with honors in civil engineering.

He enlisted in the Army in 1941 and achieved the rank of major in the Army Corps of Engineers. Stationed in Burma during World War II, Roach was involved in the construction of the Ledo Road, an alternative route to the Burma Road.

Upon his discharge from the Army in 1946, Roach supervised road and construction projects for a private company. In 1949, he moved to Bartlesville, where he went to work for Phillips Petroleum Co. as chief engineer.

During his years there, he rose to the position of vice president of supply and transportation for Phillips.

Roach married Annetta Ayvonne Allen Hawkins in 1951. They moved to Tulsa in 1960 so he could become the first employee of Mid-America Pipeline Co., which later became Mapco.

Again he rose through the ranks until he achieved the title of executive vice president. He retired in 1983.

Roach was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where he had served as a youth sponsor and on the finance and stewardship committees.

Roach also was a member of the Tulsa Cornhusker Club and was a past president of the Tulsa Petroleum Club.

He is survived by two sons, Charles Hawkins and Jerry Hawkins, both of Tulsa; three daughters, Debra Sterne of Tulsa, Susan Humphrey of Oklahoma City and Patricia Southmayd of Tulsa; and 11 grandchildren.

Friends are making memorial donations to the Dave Roach Engineering Excellence Fund at the University of Nebraska or to the Haigler Improvement Committee in care of the Dundy County Community Foundation in Benkelman, Neb. By Staff Reports

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